Statements from supporting associations and exhibitors at K 2025 indicate a broadly positive outcome for the plastics value chain. Respondents consistently highlighted strong international participation, high-quality and decision-maker level discussions, and a clear focus on circular economy, digitalization, energy efficiency and talent development. Special formats and showcases such as Plastics Shape the Future, Rubber Street and the Young Talents Lounge drew sustained interest throughout the event. Several companies noted that discussions translated into concrete follow-ups and, in some cases, contracts signed during the fair. Machinery suppliers emphasized automation and process efficiency, including energy-efficient solutions and material cost reduction, while materials producers reported active dialogue on climate neutrality and sustainable product portfolios. Many exhibitors underscored the role of K as a platform for innovation and collaboration across the supply chain, as well as the continued importance of in-person meetings to advance projects. Despite a challenging market backdrop in some regions, the prevailing sentiment pointed to robust post-fair activity and renewed confidence.
Supporting associations: key themes and visitor response
"Exhibitors from the semi-finished products, fiber-reinforced plastics, and technical parts sectors praised the productive discussions at the decision-maker level and the increased internationality of K 2025 compared to previous K trade fairs. The special format Young Talents Lounge by GKV, which was held for the first time at K 2025, and the supporting program for young trade fair visitors were met with an extremely positive response." Dr. Oliver Möllenstädt, Chief Executive Officer, GKV (General Association of the Plastics Processing Industry)
"K 2025 was a great success. The special show 'Plastics Shape the Future' proved to be a visitor magnet throughout the entire duration of the fair. The English-language stage program, in particular, gained noticeable popularity, attracting guests from Asia and South America as well. The discussions were exceptionally high in quality: many visitors came with very specific questions, especially about the circular economy, a central theme across the entire exhibition. The fair once again proved to be an invaluable driver of innovation and collaboration along the entire value chain." Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director, Plastics Europe Deutschland
"K 2025 impressively demonstrated the innovative strength and international reach of our industry. The key themes, circular economy, digitalization, and the promotion of young talent, were not only discussed but taken further in concrete projects. For us, the trade fair was a strong source of inspiration and a significant engine for new partnerships and business opportunities." Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director, Association of Plastics and Rubber Machinery within the VDMA (German Engineering Federation)
"Our dream street continues to be the Rubber Street at K 2025. Unmissable and realized in great cooperation with Messe Düsseldorf, the Rubber Street was a complete success. We are already looking forward to returning in 2028." Boris Engelhardt, Chief Executive Officer, wdk (German Rubber Manufacturers Association)
Exhibitors: high-quality leads, concrete projects
"K 2025 once again lived up to its reputation as the world’s leading trade fair and impressively confirmed the great importance of the plastics market. Despite the economically volatile situation, the atmosphere was excellent and our booth was extremely well attended every day. For us, K is like home, and we are proud that our communication concept 'All in! arburgSOLUTIONworld' worked perfectly: we successfully demonstrated that Arburg is the solution partner for sustainable plastics processing." Dr. Christoph Schumacher, Director Global Marketing, Arburg
"Once again, K proved to be the meeting point for the industry, a magnet for customers, partners, and interested visitors from around the world. Our Covestro booth was very well attended, and our meeting rooms were overbooked on many days due to numerous appointments with clients and partners. Alongside discussions about the situation of the industry, especially in Europe, many conversations focused on a sustainable future, climate neutrality, and the circular economy, but naturally also on business. The perfect mix, and a K that gave us confidence in a challenging overall environment for our sector." Jochen Hardt, Booth Director and VP Marketing Mobility, Covestro
"K 2025 has been a truly energising experience. The diversity of innovations, technologies and expert voices is incredible, it’s a powerful reminder of how global collaboration drives real impact. Under the theme of Generation Transformation, Dow is proud to showcase how purpose-led innovation in plastics is not just possible, but already contributing to a sustainable and resilient future." Stephanie Kalil, Commercial Vice President, Packaging and Specialty Plastics EMEA, Dow
"Envalior recorded a good visitor turnout at the trade fair, with particularly strong interest from European markets. The main topics of interest were mobility, sustainability, and electromobility, which also reflect the company’s strategic focus areas. Although no concrete business deals have been concluded yet, Envalior views the high-quality discussions and the strong interest in sustainable plastic solutions as very positive signals for the post-fair period." Beatrix Vennhoff, Regional Communication Manager Europe, Envalior Deutschland
"K 2025 was a complete success for us. We made excellent use of the trade fair platform to present our global campaign #OurPlasticsJourney. The discussions were of high quality and in many cases are leading to concrete follow-ups. Visitor numbers remained high throughout, with an international audience showing great interest in our sustainability, digitalization, and product solution topics. We expect the post-fair business to continue the discussions and deepen partnerships further. Once again, K 2025 has demonstrated how important personal encounters are for developing sustainable solutions." Manuela Unger, Communications Performance Materials, Basf
"Once again, it became clear that K is the undisputed leading trade fair of the plastics industry. It was the ideal platform to present our newly formed corporate group, consisting of Davis-Standard, Maillefer, Exelliq, and battenfeld-cincinnati, and to showcase our innovative strength. The feedback was clear: material cost reduction, energy-efficient solutions, and automation are the topics driving our customers." Dr. Henning Stieglitz, CEO, battenfeld-cincinnati Exelliq Holding
"K 2025 was a complete success for Econ. Our booth attracted large numbers of visitors every day, with professionals from around the world showing strong interest in our energy-efficient underwater pelletizing systems. The discussions were consistently concrete and result-oriented, we were able to successfully close several projects during the fair itself. We are confident that the high level of visitor interest will translate into intensive post-fair activities and additional orders in the coming weeks." Dr. Roman Führer, Managing Director, Econ GmbH
"K 2025 has clearly exceeded our expectations, it remains by far the trade fair for technological innovation in the plastics industry. The international visitor profile underscores the strong interest in innovative solutions. Despite the challenging economic situation, the mood was positive, and the first investments in exhibition infrastructure are an important signal." Stefan Engleder, CEO, Engel Group
"We were very satisfied with K in terms of both visitors and organization. Automation topics and digital solutions were particularly in demand at our booth." Dominik Wiesner, Head of Marketing & Communications Europe, Haitian International Germany
"We exhibited at K for the first time and are very pleased that the trade fair met our expectations. We were able to close contracts, which was very important for us. That’s why we are already planning to participate again in 2028." Sandra Araujo, Head of International Procurement, Poly (Colombia)
"K 2025 in Düsseldorf was extremely successful for Sikora. Contrary to the rather cautious expectations of the industry beforehand, we recorded a significant increase in visitor numbers compared to K 2022. Most visitors came from Germany, but numerous international guests, including from India, Japan, and Turkey, also showed great interest in our technologies. The discussions at the booth were not only numerous but also marked by impressive technical depth, a promising sign for a successful post-fair business. We are already looking forward to the next K in 2028." Holger Lieder, Managing Director, Sikora GmbH
"K is K. At no other trade fair are the topics of conversation so diverse and wide-ranging, and the contacts so global. K once again lived up to its reputation as the world’s leading trade fair in 2025. We were able to hold numerous discussions on applications of our plastic solutions in mobility, construction, and advertising. Our sustainable product lines featuring bio-circular, bio-based raw materials and recycled content were also in high demand among booth visitors." Eric Schönel, Authorized Signatory, VP Marketing & Communications/Investor Relations, Simona AG
"K was once again a positive experience for us this year. Our converting lines for AD*STAR block bottom valve bags made from woven polypropylene, as well as our plastic recycling systems, attracted great interest from customers. We were able to conclude several important projects during the fair." Harald Neumüller, CSO, Starlinger & Co Gesellschaft m.b.H.
"We had a good traffic at our booth, not overwhelming, but with concrete requests and topics. There were several visitors from India and overall a good turnout from around the world. During K, we finalized the contracts we had been working on, two in the recycling sector. Expectations from the exhibition are positive. Despite the current market downturn, we have good prospects thanks to the interesting visits we received during the event." Marianna Caputo, Marketing & Communication Manager, Amut spa
"Visitor numbers at the trade fair were better than expected. In addition to numerous European guests, we also welcomed visitors from Asia and North and South America. Discussions focused primarily on digitalization, automation, and efficiency improvements - key topics that European manufacturers want to use to further strengthen their competitiveness against suppliers from Asia." Anatol Sattel, CSO, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery
"We all really enjoyed K 2025. Visitor numbers at the Wittmann Group stands were consistently high, and as we have come to expect from K, visitors came from all regions of the world. K remains a fixture for customers in Asia as well. We are very pleased that we were able to conclude several projects at K 2025. 'Smart Choices, Smart Savings' was our motto. Combining sustainability with high economic efficiency - that is precisely the key to strengthening competitiveness and bringing innovation to applications." Michael Wittmann, President, Wittmann Group
