Advertorial: China remains key market for Europe’s plastics & rubber machinery industry

Despite a challenging global market environment, China remained the second most important export destination for European plastics and rubber machinery in 2024. Even with a 20% year on year decline in exports to EUR2.9 billion, China continues to play a central role for European manufacturers: both as a major sales market and as an increasingly strong global competitor, says machinery association VDMA.

European suppliers retained a solid position in the Chinese market. Germany and Italy together accounted for 43% of all shipments of plastics and rubber machinery to China in 2024, underlining Europe’s technological relevance and long-standing customer relationships in the region. Only Japan ranked between the two countries in terms of market position.

Against this backdrop, Chinaplas, to be held from 21-24 April at the National Exhibition & Convention Centre (NECC), Hongqiao, Shanghai, once again serves as a strategic focal point for the industry. As the leading plastics trade fair in Asia, it is the most important international platform in China for presenting technological excellence, innovation capability, and competitiveness. For European machinery manufacturers, a visible and strong presence at Chinaplas is essential to defend and expand market share in a highly competitive environment.

China: market and competitor at the same time

China’s plastics processing industry continues to evolve rapidly across packaging, consumer goods, construction, mobility, electronics, and healthcare. Substantial domestic investments, combined with rising technological sophistication, are intensifying competition, both within China and on global export markets.

For European companies, this dual role of China requires a clear positioning. Success increasingly depends on providing high-performance machinery, energy and material-efficient solutions, and reliable process technologies that support consistent quality, productivity, and sustainability— areas where European manufacturers traditionally excel.

Technology focus at Chinaplas

Chinaplas reflects the investment priorities of processors and brand owners in China and the wider Asian region. Key topics include:

  • Efficiency and productivity: High performance injection moulding machines, extrusion lines, and automated systems designed to reduce energy and material consumption

  • Digitalisation and smart manufacturing: Process monitoring, intelligent control systems, data integration, and predictive maintenance

  • Recycling and circular economy: Advanced solutions for mechanical recycling, material handling, and compounding, supporting higher recyclate quality and closed loop applications

  • High value applications: Machinery for demanding end use sectors such as medical technology, lightweight construction, and functional packaging

European exhibitors use the show to demonstrate complete system solutions, combining machinery, automation, digital tools, and process know how.

The Power of Plastics Conference

Complementing the exhibition, the conference The Power of Plastics, held during the first three days of Chinaplas, provides a dedicated platform for in depth technical exchange. Organised jointly by VDMA and Adsale, the organiser of Chinaplas, the conference continues key topics driven by VDMA member companies at the K-Show in October 2025. Sessions focus on plastics recycling, the processing of recyclates, and the opportunities arising from digitalisation and artificial intelligence in plastics processing. By linking technology, regulation, and real world implementation, the conference underlines the industry’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and circular solutions in a rapidly changing global market.

The event will feature Baumüller that will analyse "Shredder Drive – Manage the Challenges The Advantages of the High Torque Drive System in Recycling Industry". KraussMaffei will address "Closed-loop Recycling Solutions for Plastics". Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) will present "Solutions for Processing of Recyclates". Reifenhäuser will share "Patented Solutions for Improved Sustainability in Blown Film Extrusion". Coperion will speak on "Next-Level Compounding Performance Through Automation and Digitalisation". Engel will discuss "From Hype to Shopfloor | How AI Improves Injection Molding in Daily Production". Arburg will talk about "Connectivity for Success – Smart Production Made Simple.

Chinaplas as a strategic platform

Advertorial: China remains key market for Europe’s plastics & rubber machinery industry

In a global exhibition landscape that is becoming increasingly crowded, Chinaplas stands out as an industry anchor event for the Asian market. It brings together processors, brand owners, material suppliers, and machinery manufacturers at scale and with strong technical depth.

For European plastics and rubber machinery makers, Chinaplas is not merely a regional fair, it is a strategic instrument for maintaining visibility, engaging with existing customers, and establishing new partnerships in a market that remains indispensable despite cyclical fluctuations.

Outlook

While short term market conditions remain challenging, the long term fundamentals of China’s plastics industry, large domestic demand, ongoing modernisation, and rising quality requirements, continue to offer opportunities for technology driven suppliers.

For more information or enquiries about the show, please visit www.ChinaplasOnline.com or contact Chinaplas.pr@adsale.com.hk.

(PRA)

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