Four free-to-attend exhibitions focused on plastics compounding, recycling, extrusion and testing will provide the first opportunity to reconnect with customers and suppliers. We preview what you can expect to see at Messe Essen on 29-30 September

The Compounding World Expo and Plastics Recycling World Expo return to Messe Essen in Germany on 29-30 September 2021. This year they are joined by the new Plastics Extrusion World Expo and Polymer Testing World Expo.

Organised by AMI, the free-to-attend exhibitions feature more than 200 exhibitors, a 20% increase compared to when the shows previously ran in 2018. They also boast five free conference theatres with more than 100 speakers covering the latest market trends and technical developments in plastics compounding, recycling, extrusion and testing.

The event, which attracted 4,024 visitors in 2018, is Europe’s first major plastics industry gathering since K 2019. It provides the perfect opportunity to get back to business and make up for lost time. Attendees can reconnect with customers and suppliers, catch up on what’s happened over the past two years, and make new plans for the future.

Compounding World Expo

The Compounding World Expo hosts a wide range of international suppliers of compounding machinery, ancillary equipment, and polymers and additives. Exhibitors include: Benvic, Buss, Cabot, Colloids, Coperion, Dover Chemical, Evonik, Gabriel Chemie, HPF, KraussMaffei, Lehmann & Voss, Leistritz, Merck, Mixaco, Mitsui, Motan Colortronic, Nanocyl, SI Group, Solvay, Wacker and many more.

The Expo includes two free conference theatres focused specifically on plastics compounding and masterbatch making. There is a busy programme of business debates, technology talks and training seminars. Speakers include senior representatives from Acome, Avient, Clariant, Delta Tecnic, Mocom Compounds, Prysmian and Sirmax.

Plastics Recycling World Expo

Visitors looking to source plastics recycling machinery, reclaimed materials and technologies for improving recyclate quality can find what they’re looking for at the Plastics Recycling World Expo. Companies showcasing their latest products and solutions include APK, Aquafil, B+B, Bühler, Erema, ExxonMobil, Kreyenborg, NGR, Pellenc, Rodepa, Sorema, Steinert, Starlinger, Van Werven, Vecoplan, Veolia, Weima and lots more.

A range of hot topics are being covered in the expo’s focused conference programme, including regulatory developments, market trends, advanced sorting technologies, and new strategies to increase recycling rates. Speakers include representatives from BASF, Covestro, EXPRA, Montello, Sogapol and Steptoe & Johnson.

Plastics Extrusion World Expo

New for 2021, the Plastics Extrusion World Expo features suppliers of extrusion machinery and ancillary equipment for the productions of film, sheet, pipes, profiles and tubing. Exhibitors at Essen this month include Amut, Bandera, EuroChiller, Eurotech Extrusion Machinery, FB Balzanelli, Inoex, Kuhne and Nordson.

The accompanying conference theatre hosts speakers from leading extrusion companies, including Bischof + Klein, Cofresco, Coveris, Grupo Armando Alvarez, Klöckner Pentaplast, Pipelife, Polyplastic and Sealed Air. In addition, market experts from AMI are presenting papers on the latest demand trends in plastics films and flexible packaging.

Polymer Testing World Expo

The second new expo joining the event this year is the Polymer Testing World Expo. The exhibition showcases the latest laboratory equipment, systems and services for assessing the quality and performance of plastic formulations and products.

Companies that have booked stands at Essen and will be giving presentations in the dedicated Polymer Testing conference theatre include: Aimplas, Brabender, Frontier Lab, IKV, Norner, Nouryon Chemicals, OCS Optical Control Systems, Oxford Instruments, Schütz Licht, SKZ and TNO. Topics being covered include: analysing recycled materials, in-line inspection, lifetime estimation, sensor-based polymer identification, and ASTM and ISO standards.