Chinaplas 2016 celebrates 30th year; growth attributed to China’s open door policy

The Chinese plastics exhibition that started in 1983 in Beijing has come a long way since then said organiser Adsale Exhibition Services. From Beijing it moved to Shanghai and hence celebrates its 30th year.

This year’s edition will span 240.000 sq m, compared to 2,000 sq m in 1983, making it the second largest plastics exhibition in the world, after the Dusseldorf-held K show. It will have 3,300 companies, compared with 100 exhibitors in 1983, which is a record for Adsale and in spite of the less favourable global economies, said Ada Leung, General Manager of Adsale, speaking at the Media Day.

The show will have 1,000 raw material/chemical exhibitors in a new themed area and 3,800 machinery, with more than half of the machinery manufactured in China, highlighted Stanley Chu, Chairman of Adsale.

“China has been the world’s largest producer of plastic machinery for 15 years but it is still slacking behind Japanese and European counterparts; but it is catching up,” said Stanley.

However, Stanley said the show had a 30,000 sq m-waiting list, adding that organiser had considered moving to the new 400,000 sq m-exhibition space in Hongqiao. “But logistical-wise it is “difficult” at the moment, adding to the fact it is not built to accommodate machinery.”

“The purpose of Chinaplas is not to be the largest in the world but to focus on technology,” he said, adding that the organiser will keep monitoring the situation.

“Next year, Chinaplas will be hed in Guangzhou where there are no concerns but we will evaluate the 2018 show to be held in Shanghai.”

In terms of geographic coverage, Chinaplas covers international exhibitors and visitors, Stanley said, terming Chinaplas an “important international platform.” “In this respect, in 2005, we got the organiser of K show, Messe Dusseldorf, to become a partner of Chinaplas.”

This year, the organiser expects 140,000 visitors to visit the show with 25% from over 150 countries and regions around the world.

The show also has a new logo this year, comprising three circles, starting from small to big, complete to incomplete and from low to higher position, said Ada. It symbolises that Chinaplas started from small to its current growth.

Stanley also said compared to other plastics shows that focus on mainly packaging, Chinaplas is a “complete plastics show covering a wide range of industries such as packaging, medical, automotive and electrical/electronics, which have had fast growth.”

The main question on everyone’s mind is how did Chinaplas manage this in its 30 years. Stanley attributes its “great success” to China’s open door policy implemented in 1978. “Today China is second in the world in terms of GDP and could even overtake the US in a few years time.”

Looking ahead, Stanley said, since Chinaplas is happening in China, it has to be closely linked with the economic policies and growth of China, such as the 2025 industry plan of China and 13th five-year development plan. “In essence these plans are simple. China will no more be a low production cost country so we have to face these limitations for further economic growth. We have to focus on automation and higher productivity and higher technology.” He said the show is the right platform for these criteria

Chinaplas 2016 takes place from 25-28 April.