PLASTPOL 2026.  The plastics industry once again convened in the heart of Europe.

15,000 visitors from Europe, Asia, and Africa, 660 exhibitors from 36 countries, hundreds of live-running machines, multi-million contracts, and a spectacular 30th anniversary celebration – the International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing PLASTPOL once again confirmed its position as the largest plastics industry event in Central Europe and one of the key meeting points for the global market. For four days, Kielce (Poland) became a centre of international business, technology and industrial premieres.

For many international companies, PLASTPOL remains the most important gateway to the Central and Eastern European markets. The trade fair brought together manufacturers and technology suppliers from across the globe – from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East to North and South America. Visitors from all corners of the world representing a wide range of industries attended the event, including medical, packaging, food processing, automotive, electronics, household appliances, logistics, and defence sectors. Thanks to its strategic location and rapidly growing industrial sector, Poland once again demonstrated its role as the industrial heart of this part of Europe.

The exhibition halls of Targi Kielce showcased the world’s latest technologies for plastics processing.  Live demonstrations featured injection moulding machines, extrusion systems, industrial robots, fully automated production lines, and advanced recycling technologies in operation. Among the products manufactured on-site were insulin pen caps, medical autoinjector components, lunchboxes, technical industrial parts, and products made from recyclates and natural materials.

Contracts and Investments in Kielce Despite a Slowdown in the Plastics Market

This year’s PLASTPOL trade fair once again demonstrated that, despite a slowdown in the European plastics market, companies continue to invest in automation, energy-efficient technologies, and advanced production solutions.  During the event, contracts were signed for machinery, production lines, and raw materials worth millions of euros.

“Customers are increasingly looking for solutions that enable predictable production management, reduce defect rates, and optimise energy and resource consumption,” said Adam Marciniak from ENGEL. This company secured orders for machines during PLASTPOL.  Over the course of the trade fair, dozens of machines and complete plastics processing lines were sold.

Information on contracted equipment and new business relationships was also reported by companies such as BOLE, Plastline, Plastigo, Proplastica, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, Bagsik, LS Mtron, Mapro, and Muehsam Industrial Solutions. Exhibitors expressed cautious optimism about the economic situation in Europe, while emphasising that continued investment in efficiency, automation, and recycling remains essential for maintaining competitiveness.

30 years of PLASTPOL – the industry celebration

The anniversary expo was of a unique character.  During the Platinum Plast Gala, companies were honoured that have shaped PLASTPOL's history and contributed to the development of the plastics industry since its very first editions. The “Architect of Success” statuettes were awarded to   Muehsam Jan Krzysztof i Wspólnicy, Dopak, Engel, Wittmann Battenfeld, Danje Polymer, Polimarky, A. Marciniak OT, Bagsik, Proplastica, Telko, Finke Colors, KGL, Elbi, P&F Wartacz, Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Polymer Materials, Sumitomo Demag, PlastLine, Asten Group, Mapro Polska, Hasco Hasenclever, Moretto Spa, Grupa Azoty, PlasticsEurope Polska Foundation, Enterio, Polish Union of Plastics Converters and Tworzywa Media.

A particularly memorable moment of the gala was the recognition of Kamil Perz, Director of the PLASTPOL trade fair, who has co-created and developed the event for 30 years. ts. The management of Targi Kielce presented him with a symbolic statuette of Atlas carrying the globe as a tribute to his contribution to the development of one of Europe’s most important plastics industry events.

Innovations awarded with Gold Medals

The gala ceremony featured the presentation of PLASTPOL Gold Medals to the most innovative products and technologies showcased at the trade show. Accolades were presented to the following companies:  XALOY EUROPE for the NeXtwin™ tungsten carbide conical barrel solution, KOLTEX PRS for the ERFOR® XR8 extruder, BMB SPA for the eKW20Pi/700 electric injection moulding machine, THERMOPLAY from the Spectrix group for solutions for waste-free lateral injection, DOPAK for supporting technological processes in industrial conditions, and BOLE EUROPE TECHNOLOGY for the technology of direct injection of long fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites.

Gold Medals were also awarded to Polish companies: MUEHSAM Rozmysłowy Dla Przemysłu [Solutions for Industry] for the stretch hood; PAWFORM for the E-DRIVE servo transmission system dedicated to driving internal thread-forming cores and sliders; and KGL for recyclable Menubox packaging made of XPP foamed polypropylene film intended for takeaway meals.  Awards were also given to Plastoplan Polska, Mapro Polska, Ekochem, Ebs Ink Jet System Poland and MUEHSAM Solutions for Industry.

Knowledge, regulations and the future of the plastics market 

Conferences and technical seminars addressing the sector’s long-term future are an integral pillar of the exhibition. The European premiere of the Plastics Europe report on the circular economy, along with conferences on recycling, energy efficiency, and new EU regulations for the packaging market, generated considerable interest.

A new feature of this year’s edition was the international event “Italian Polymers, Compounds & Masterbatch Solutions – Expertise Driving Innovation in Automotive”, organised jointly with Confindustria Polonia. Italian companies presented cutting-edge solutions for the automotive sector, underscoring PLASTPOL's growing importance as a platform for international industrial cooperation.

At the PLASTPOL trade fair, representatives of exhibiting companies were also recognised in the OMNIPLAST competition for their specialist knowledge and industry expertise. The winner of this year’s edition was Monika Zuber from Sierosławski Group. Tomasz Pyrek, representing DRP Group, was the runner-up, and third place was awarded to Justyna Przęczek from Polimer Projekt.

PLASTPOL 2027 in the Targi Kielce’s new expo hall 

Preparations are already underway for the next PLASTPOL trade fair, scheduled for 18–21 May 2027 - the organisers look forward to meeting you at the expo. For the first time, exhibitors will also showcase their products in the new exhibition hall at Targi Kielce, one of the largest and most modern trade fair facilities currently under construction in Central Europe. Designed to enhance exhibitor comfort, innovative product presentation, and overall trade fair efficiency, the new expo hall will offer more than 15,500 square metres of exhibition space and a height of 15 metres.

“Thanks to the new hall, we will be able to offer exhibition opportunities at an even higher, truly global standard,” emphasises Kamil Perz, Project Director.