Frankfurt am Main/Düsseldorf, 2 October 2025 – Packaging, electronics or car parts: many everyday products are made of plastics. At K 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics industry, held every three years in Düsseldorf, manufacturers will present from 8–15 October 2025 how these products could look in the future – with less fossil feedstock, more recycling and materials designed for multiple use.
Circular economy as the guiding theme
The circular economy already played a central role at the last K in 2022. This year it has become the guiding theme – not least because European plastics producers are undergoing a fundamental transformation. Their aim is to reduce dependence on fossil imports and to produce climate-neutral plastics by 2050.
Changing the raw material base
To support this transformation, Plastics Europe – the association of European plastics producers – published the Plastics Transition Roadmap in 2023. It sets out how the industry can change its raw material base: by increasing recycling, by using plastics from renewable feedstocks and by designing products in ways that reduce material use, enable reuse and ensure they can be recycled at the end of their life cycle.
Practical examples at K 2025
At the Plastics Europe stand (Hall 6, C40), the special show Plastics Shape the Future will highlight what tomorrow’s plastics products could look like. Exhibits range from packaging and automotive components to applications in construction and consumer goods.
Circular packaging design: Cups, films and bottles incorporating recycled content or made partly from renewable feedstocks such as sugarcane. Some are designed as mono-material solutions to facilitate recycling; others as refill systems for multiple use.
Automotive parts: Interior panels, bumpers and lightweight components that reduce resource use. Many already contain a high share of recycled plastics and are designed for easier dismantling.
Construction materials: Insulation boards, façade elements and structural products with a reduced carbon footprint, many of them long-lasting and partly or fully made from recycled plastics.
Everyday products: Reusable drinking bottles, lunch boxes, toy bricks from bio-based feedstocks, as well as textiles such as bags and jackets made largely from recycled content.
Innovation across the value chain
“We are proud of this special show,” says Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director of Plastics Europe Deutschland. “The companies have demonstrated that it is technologically possible to reduce the use of virgin fossil resources in many plastics applications. They show innovation across the entire value chain – in design, raw materials, use and recycling.”
Competitiveness as a prerequisite
For these new technologies to be deployed at scale, reliable framework conditions and planning security for investments are essential. “High energy prices, lengthy approval processes and frequently changing requirements place a heavy burden on the industry in Germany and Europe,” explains Christine Bunte. “That is why in Düsseldorf the focus is not only on circular economy but also on competitiveness. Europe will need both in order to remain successful.”
A full list of exhibits is available here: https://plasticseurope.org/de/exhibits-at-k2025-hall6-c40/
About K 2025
K 2025 is regarded as the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber. More than 200,000 visitors from around 160 countries are expected to attend from 8 to 15 October 2025. The special show Plastics Shape the Future is an official part of the fair, covering around 600 square meters with exhibitions and program highlights.
Press photos of the special show and K 2025 can be free downloaded here:
https://plasticseurope.org/de/pressemitteilungen/
Highlights der Sonderschau „Plastics Shape the Future“
- K 2025: Highlights of the first day of the trade fair on 8 October
- K 2025: Highlights of „Circular Thursday“ on 9 October
- K 2025: Highlights of „Climate Friday“ on 10 October
- K 2025: Highlights of „Smart Saturday“ on 11 October
- K 2025: Highlights of „Career Sunday“ on 12 October
- K 2025: Highlights of „Innovation Monday“ on 13 October
- K 2025: Highlights of „Visionary Tuesday“ on 14 October
About Plastics Europe Deutschland
PlasticsEurope Deutschland e.V. is the association of plastics producers in Germany. The association is a trade association of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) and part of the European network Plastics Europe, with representation in Brussels and the European economic centers and capitals.
Your contact at Plastics Europe Deutschland
Bettina Dempewolf
Head of Communications
+49 171 9713962
bettina.dempewolf@plasticseurope.de
Including press photos of the K 2025 special show “Plastics Shape the Future”