Chinaplas 2026 will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Hongqiao, Shanghai, from 21 to 24 April 2026. Following its 2025 edition in Shenzhen, the fair returns to Shanghai in line with its rotation between Shanghai in even years and Shenzhen in odd years. The organizer expects more than 4,600 exhibitors across over 390,000 square meters of exhibition space. The event positions itself as a comprehensive plastics and rubber showcase, emphasizing the theme of “Transformation · Collaboration · Sustainability”. Visitors can expect live demonstrations of thousands of machines, a broad presentation of raw materials and additives, and a program of concurrent activities covering technology updates, design and innovation, cost optimization, new applications and policy topics. The four-day format is designed to facilitate access to solutions, first-hand market information, international contacts and supply chain collaboration opportunities for professionals from automotive, electronics and electrical, packaging, medical and healthcare, building and infrastructure and other downstream sectors.
A barometer for industry development
The 2026 show marks the 38th edition of Chinaplas. It is presented as a gateway for the release and exchange of advanced technologies across the plastics and rubber value chain, gathering leading enterprises and emerging innovators. The exhibition floor will feature a large number of running machines and application demonstrations that track current development trends in processing equipment, materials and end-use solutions. Alongside the exhibits, forums and activities will convene industry leaders and experts to discuss technological developments, design approaches, efficiency improvements, application opportunities and regulatory matters. For participants, the fair is positioned as a platform to broaden global perspectives, deepen supply chain links and follow the pulse of industry development.
Competition shifts from price to technology and quality
Against a backdrop of intensive competition and price pressure in parts of the Chinese market, recent measures have sought to optimize industrial layouts, address disorderly low-price competition and strengthen product quality. The emphasis has shifted from competing on price to competing on technology and value. Chinaplas 2026 aims to serve as a hub for innovation by assembling global suppliers of machinery and materials, including thousands of equipment exhibits and solutions from over a thousand raw material suppliers. The technologies on display target the transformation and upgrading needs of downstream industries, supporting improvements in product performance and cost efficiency. The organizers position the show as a means to help the sector move beyond homogeneous competition and toward higher-quality growth.
Emerging sectors under focus
The 2026 edition will highlight fast-developing segments with significant growth potential. The low-altitude economy, including new-generation aircraft represented by eVTOLs, is cited as a future trillion-dollar area. Shanghai has set the goal of becoming a capital of the low-altitude economy, targeting an industry scale exceeding RMB 50 billion by 2027. Robotics is another focus, with China among the leading global players. According to Goldman Sachs, the global market for humanoid robots could reach USD 38 billion by 2035, and over the next decade this segment is expected to join new energy vehicles among trillion-dollar industries.
The rise of the so-called “Guzi” economy in China, centered on spin-off products from ACGN content, has accelerated the development of the art toy industry. iiMedia Research reports that the number of pan-ACGN users in China reached 503 million in 2024, and estimates the related market scale will grow from RMB 597.7 billion in 2024 to RMB 834.4 billion by 2029. In parallel, continued advances in human spaceflight, large aircraft, high-speed rail, smart driving, high-end medical technology, e-commerce and food delivery packaging are raising performance and processing requirements for plastics and rubber, creating additional demand and business opportunities.
Green and intelligent solutions
Green and low-carbon technologies, together with intelligent production, remain central themes for the industry. To align with circular economy objectives and market demand, Chinaplas 2026 will feature three theme zones dedicated to sustainability: Recycled Plastics, Bioplastics and Recycling Tech. In the Chemicals and Raw Materials Zone, established suppliers plan to present new sustainable material and additive solutions. The show also reflects the trajectory toward smart manufacturing, where digitalized production and artificial intelligence can support process innovation, improve precision and efficiency and enable traceability of materials across circular economy stages. The organizers state that high-end, green and intelligent development will be a focal direction for the sector.
International reach and visitor profile
Chinaplas has a long-standing presence in the Chinese market and targets both Asian and global audiences. The 2025 edition drew 281,206 professionals from more than 170 countries and regions, including 68,542 visitors from overseas and from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, representing 24.37 percent of the total. Exhibitors reported networking and trade outcomes through strategic partnerships and contracts with domestic and international buyers. In the run-up to the 2026 edition, the promotional program includes outreach to industry chambers, associations and buyer groups in various countries and regions, participation in key industry events and targeted campaigns to reach global buyers.
Practical information
With high demand for exhibition space, the 2026 show aims to deliver a comprehensive technical and commercial program across exhibits, concurrent activities and on-site services.
