K2016 closes with higher turnout; big hit with Asian visitors

The world’s largest trade fair for the plastics industry, K2016, held in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 19-26 October, broke its own record of its show held in 2013. It not only had more exhibitors (3,285), it also 230,000 trade visitors from over 160 countries. The previous event in 2013 was attended by 218,000 visitors and 3,220 exhibitors, said the organiser, Messe Düsseldorf.

Some 70% of visitors came from abroad. Asian visitors accounted for the largest group, with 30,000 visitors from South, East and Central Asia. Visitors from India again constituted the biggest group but the number of visitors from China, South Korea and Iran also rose significantly.

More than 40% of all foreign visitors hailed from overseas – including countries such as Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Oman, Madagascar, Mauritius, Surinam and Togo. Almost on a par remained the proportion of visitors from the US and Canada with some 6% of all foreign visitors.

Regarding European countries: Italy dominated with over 10,000 visitors followed by the Netherlands (some 9,500), France (some 6,700), Belgium (some 6,300), Spain and Poland (some 5,000 each). There was perceptibly stronger interest taken by Turkey, Hungary and Greece.

Furthermore, the organiser says “exhibitors unanimously confirmed that trade visitors were extremely serious about their business negotiations and showed a pronounced willingness to invest.”

Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of the K2016 Advisory Board, put it in a nutshell: "I have never seen such a vast number of decisive customers willing to buy at a trade fair before! The number and magnitude of deals, some of which were concluded here spontaneously, as well as the many concrete enquiries about new projects by far exceed our expectations! It was clear from day one that customers wanted to not only find out about new technologies but also purchase them. There is strong investment in all our customer industries and in all regions of the world.”

Energy, material and resource efficiency were the dominating themes at K 2016. Also meeting with avid interest were new materials, innovative recycling concepts, new application areas for organic plastics and additive manufacturing. Smart, quick and flexible lines and services were in high demand among customers; Industry 4.0 dominated not only lectures and discussions but was also demonstrated hands-on at many stands.

Commenting on this Ulrich Reifenhäuser said: “The possibilities the Internet of Things brings stimulates strong, serious interest – especially among younger, IT-savvy customers from throughout the world. Industry 4.0 is a theme of the future that will keep us busy for years to come.”

Machine and plant manufacturing, which occupies the biggest exhibition area at K2016 with over 1,900 exhibitors, was also the centre of attraction for visitors; a good two-thirds of visitors polled ranked this segment first, with 46% saying they were predominantly interested in raw and auxiliary materials. For 25% of visitors semi-finished products and technical parts made of plastic and rubber were the main reason for coming (multiple choice possible).

Meanwhile, the rubber industry was also present through the Rubber Street

Visitors came from the construction sector and automotive to packaging and electrical as well as medical device technology not forgetting agriculture, with more than 97% ensuring that they had reached their goals while 96% said they were impressed with the line-up at K2016.

The next K in Düsseldorf will take place from 16-23 October 2019.

(PRA)