K 2022 Innovation driver for the global plastics and rubber industry
A multitude of concrete solutions, machines and products for the transformation towards a circular economy, and at Alser we couldn’t miss it.
Alser was present at the new edition K 2022 Dussendorf, with visits to customers and exhibitors, applications in new markets, growing segments in applicability of Recycled and Compounds to measure “with green seal” or “marked Eco Green”. Three very intense days to take the pulse of the plastics sector and meet old acquaintances, emerging proposals and contacts that will be the future of our industry.
Processing and recycling lines as well as technical and mechanical solutions that will revive the recyclability segment in the coming years. Investments in the medium term will make the difference in competing in a market that is expanding in terms of consumption and final part requirements.
Technification, Artificial Vision or Automatic Packaging will be the cornerstone to ensure the initial processing quality as well as the final product quality in Recycled Materials and Compounds.
One of the great challenges of securing raw materials in supply is to adapt the purchasing system, control and internal logistics of management and recycling companies.
The joy of the plastics and rubber industry at finally being able to exchange ideas in person on a global level again after three years characterised K 2022 Düsseldorf and ensured an excellent mood among the 3,037 exhibitors. The companies reported extraordinarily good opportunities and a marked willingness to invest among the trade visitors, citing promising new customer relationships and the conclusion of numerous, partly spontaneous business deals.
176,000 trade visitors from all continents travelled to their most important industry event in Düsseldorf. With more than 70 per cent, the proportion of international guests at K 2022 remained at a consistently high level.
K 2022
The current unpredictability and uncertainty of events creates a difficult situation in the industry in general, but this did not in any way impair the commitment of the exhibitors and the interest of the visitors – quite the contrary: “Especially now in turbulent times and where the plastics industry is undergoing transformation towards the circular economy K 2022 was the ideal place to jointly and actively chart the course for the future”, summarises Ulrich Reifenhäuser.
During the eight days of the trade fair, it became clear that this year’s K2022 got it right with its choice of hot topics, circular economy, climate protection and digitalisation. In terms of investment intentions, machinery and equipment for processing and recycling stood out with 43 per cent. The focus was particularly on sustainability, but also on the circular economy and energy/resource efficiency in production. Around 40% of decision-makers said they were investigating the topic of decarbonisation.
At the Science Campus, both exhibitors and visitors to K 2022 received a summarised overview of scientific activities and findings in the plastics and rubber sector. Numerous universities, institutes and funding agencies offered opportunities for direct dialogue.
See you in K Düsseldorf from 8 to 15 October 2025.
