Frankfurt am Main/Düsseldorf, 30 September 2025 – EU legislation requires European industry to be climate-neutral by 2050. K 2025 in Düsseldorf, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics, highlights how the plastics sector is working toward that goal. A centerpiece of the fair is the special show “Plastics Shape the Future,” curated by Plastics Europe Deutschland on behalf of Trade Fair Düsseldorf. In Hall 6, Stand C40, visitors find interactive exhibits and a program of more than 50 panel discussions, startup pitches, science slams, and lectures featuring over 125 speakers from politics, business and academia.
Exploring pathways to climate-neutral plastics production
The exhibition’s central focus is the Plastics Transition Roadmap, which was developed by Plastics Europe together with its member companies, who represent more than 90 percent of Europe’s plastics production. The roadmap sets out concrete steps and milestones on the path to climate neutrality, from circular product design and increased recycling to renewable feedstocks, electrified production processes and the use of CO₂ as a resource.
Industry leaders set the agenda for the circular economy
The special show opens with senior executives from Borealis, Evonik, Braskem, Dow, LyondellBasell, Syensqo, Vioneo, Erema, KraussMaffei and Amcor, joined by other industry representatives and researchers, discussing how the transition to a circular economy can be financed while safeguarding Europe’s competitiveness. A press conference, streamed live, will also present the latest figures on global and European plastics production, ranging from key industry indicators to trade data. “Each of the fair’s seven theme days focuses on a different priority for the plastics sector, from climate protection and artificial intelligence to HR,” says Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director of Plastics Europe Deutschland, who guides visitors through the exhibition.
Exhibits bring circular economy to life
At the RecycleBAR, the café area of the special show, visitors encounter everyday examples of circular economy in action: packaging designed for reuse, car parts made with a high share of recycled plastics, and household items produced from renewable raw materials. Within a compact space, the exhibition shows how plastics are moving away from fossil feedstocks toward solutions that use fewer resources, can be reused multiple times and are easier to recycle.
Plastics from new feedstocks
Inside the Raw Materials Cube, visitors can explore how the basis of plastics production is evolving. Lab flasks display flakes, pellets, recyclates, renewable feedstocks and oils that together trace the full life cycle of plastic applications. “With the help of diagrams and infographics, we show how the use of fossil resources in plastics production can be gradually reduced and replaced, and which technologies are already making this possible today,” says Dr. Christine Bunte.
Value Chain Pavilion
Next to the Raw Materials Cube stands the Value Chain Pavilion, where the stand’s materials and design partners showcase their exhibits. From carpets to lamps, the entire pavilion is built with products made from recycled and renewable resources, supplied by companies such as Object Carpet, NovoTech, Fotoboden and Pracht. After the fair, these materials will either be reused or recycled. During K 2025, the pavilion also serves as a media studio, where trade publications such as Kunststoffe, CheManager, K-Zeitung and PlastXNow conduct interviews and bring together experts from across the industry. “Close cooperation within the industry is crucial,” emphasizes Dr. Christine Bunte. “The pavilion and the entire stand demonstrate that a circular economy can only succeed if producers, converters, machinery manufacturers and recyclers work hand in hand.”
Plastics Industry Engages in Discussion on the Future of the Sector
The third pavilion of the special show features a photo booth where visitors can pose with a large pink elephant. “Of course, the photo booth is eye-catching, but it’s also an invitation to talk about the elephant in the room. Whether it’s recycling, microplastics or competitiveness, the special show is about opening dialogue with the public, and we invite everyone to join the conversation, even on critical issues,” says Dr. Christine Bunte.
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”