The K 2025 exhibition is considered the most prestigious trade fair for the plastics and rubber industries in the world. It is held every three years in Düsseldorf, Germany (this year from October 8 to 15).
Since its early years of publication, BASPAR Media Group has been present alongside this exhibition and has been introduced as its official media partner in Iran.
The following interview was exclusively conducted by a BASPAR Magazine journalist with Thomas Franken, Director of K 2025 at Messe Düsseldorf.
Baspar/ Iranpolymer How many participants and from how many countries will be attending
this exhibition? Will all the key market players be present? In what
space will the exhibition be held?
It was already clear by the end of the official registration period in May 2024, that all renowned companies in the international plastics and rubber industry will take part in their leading trade fair. All 18 halls of Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre and the outdoor premises will be fully occupied again. This corresponds to the size of 25 football pitches! We are again expecting over 3,000 exhibitors from 62 countries.
At this year’s K exhibitors particularly from Europe will be strongly represented, especially from Germany, Italy, Turkey, Austria as well as from the Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain. At the same time, K clearly evidences the changes on the world market: the number of companies from Asia and the area they occupy have remained at a constant high for years now. Particularly impressive are the appearances of companies from China, India and Taiwan.
Baspar/ Iranpolymer How has the participation of Iranian exhibitors and visitors evolved over the years?
The first Iranian exhibitor took part in 1995. From then on, Iranian companies were always represented at K. In 2022, there were 13 Iranian companies. So far, five companies have registered for 2025: Bakhtar Commercial Company, Chimiaran co., Jam Petrochemical Company Private joint stock, Nekoo Behineh Machine NBM, Parsa Polymer Sharif Company Pvt. Ltd.
Baspar/ Iranpolymer What new technologies and groundbreaking developments can visitors expect to see at K 2025?
In today’s challenging times, K in Düsseldorf once again demonstrates its status as the world’s leading trade fair. It is the ultimate platform where the entire value chain comes together to showcase the highest standards of innovation and expertise. Nowhere else can you find as many world premieres as at K in Düsseldorf, which is why exhibitors keep their new technologies and groundbreaking developments under wraps until the event begins. Nevertheless, I am confident that the next edition of K will bring significant advancements in the industry’s key topics. The slogan for K 2025 is ‘The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible’ and reflects the current hot topics of the industry.
Sustainability will be the top priority at the stands of almost all exhibitors, because plastics are an indispensable component of many industries, make a significant contribution to innovations and progress and are essential to designing a sustainable future. The core messages of K 2025 focus on three key topics, one of it is: ‘Shaping the circular economy’. The sector is increasingly based on a sustainable circular economy that promotes the re-use, recycling and reduction of plastic waste. Circular Economy will be a central element of the VDMA Forum, too. Located outdoors between Halls 10 and 16, the VDMA and its member companies will demonstrate just how relevant technology is for implementing circularity in the plastic industry and offers the appropriate discussion forum in the VDMA Dome.
But let me mention as well the two other core messages of K, because these are also closely linked to the topic of sustainability: ‘Embracing digitalisation’ – because digitalisation not only boosts the efficiency of machines and products, but also makes important aspects of sustainability possible in the first place, such as tracing or sorting materials when returning them to the cycle. The third core message is: ‘Caring about people’. This emphasizes the responsible handling of resources, highlighting the sector’s commitment to protecting the environment. And social responsibility also means to promote young talents and to create future prospects for young professionals in the plastics and rubber industry.
The official special show Plastics shape the Future”, organized by Plastics Europe Germany in Hall 6, reflects all three hot topics of K 2025. It presents and discusses visions and technological solutions with different theme days, panel talks, a Career Day, and a Start-up Pitch.
Baspar/ Iranpolymer How will K 2025 be different from K 2022? What’s new for visitors, exhibitors and other stakeholders?
Of course, we are building on the successful concept of K 2022, developing and optimising it in line with the needs of the industry. For example, there will be a new concept for the Science Campus, which will make it easier for international institutes to take part. Universities, colleges and institutes will present the latest results of their plastics research at the Science Campus.
Following its successful debut in 2022, the Start-up Zone where Innovative newcomers will present their ideas is expanding in 2025. For the first time, the Science Campus will be located next to the Start-up Zone in Hall 7 to foster synergies.
Rubber Street will be organized again with the aim of increasing the visibility of rubber and elastomers and highlighting their innovative performance. In 2025 Rubber Street will be completely redesigned in cooperation with the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk).
The Young Talents Lounge is a new hub for young professionals offering interactive insights into training and academic programs, hosted by the German Association of Plastics Converters (GKV). Women in Plastics is a brand-new networking event specifically for women in the plastics industry on Sunday, October 12.
Baspar/ Iranpolymer In recent years, Chinaplas has become the world’s largest plastics exhibition. Is Messe Düsseldorf focusing solely on technology to maintain its leadership with K? Do you still consider K to be the world’s leading plastics exhibition?
It´s all about quality, not only quantity. In Düsseldorf we offer the worldwide plastics and rubber industry its leading trade fair and its most important information, communication and business platform. Exhibitors and visitors from all continents come together and use the opportunities offered by the K flagship fair as a unique platform to to demonstrate the industry’s capabilities, discuss current trends and set the course for the future. Nowhere else can you see so many machines in operation at the same time. Only in Düsseldorf, visitors can experience and compare such a varied and international range of innovations, solutions and high density of product launches. And K underscores its special position not only through its popularity with the global industry but also by addressing the current challenges of our era and especially of its sector. It is the benchmark for the entire industry and its global marketplace for innovations.
Baspar/ Iranpolymer What is your advice for visitors planning to attend K 2025 for the first time?
First of all, visitors should take care of their trade fair ticket, visa and hotel. The ticket shop at www.k-online.de will be open from April 15, 2025. Support with visa matters can be requested from our representative in Iran, Fujan Rahbaran Aati Ltd. Co.
Since the K is very large and offers a wide range of products, you should plan your visit carefully. It’s best to do this via www.k-online.com, where you will find the exhibitor database as well as the hall plan and also our new tool for hotel bookings and lots of other helpful information.
Of course, visitors should also download the K App, which is available from May on. It is ideal for preparing the visit to the trade fair. The interactive site map and hall plans are perfect guides for finding your bearings at the exhibition center. A simple touch of a button takes you into the individual halls, allows you to gradually zoom into individual stands to then view the exhibitor’s data and profile as well as the products they offer. All exhibitor and product details on the entire K database can be searched by means of a full-text search routine.
We have optimized the Matchmaking Tool called FairMatch, which helps visitors and exhibitors alike to make K 2025 even more successful. Prior to the upcoming K, both groups can use this tool (available at k-online.com and in the K-App from August 2025 on) to find their new contacts and products. The tool will directly suggest the right contact and allows to make appointments in advance.
