Plast 2026 is preparing for the twentieth edition of the trade fair, which will take place from 9 to 12 June 2026 at the Fiera Milano exhibition centre. Despite the complex geopolitical and economic situation, the organiser reports positive developments for the event. International trade tensions and instability in global markets are affecting key industrial sectors, including plastics and rubber, yet this edition of the Milan trade fair is recording a clear increase in interest from exhibitors.
The Milan event, described as Europe's leading trade fair of the year for the plastics and rubber processing sector, confirms its position through the participation of more than 160 new exhibitors compared with the previous edition. Around 30% of this group are international companies. In the current market environment, particularly the transformation in the automotive industry, which is undergoing a phase of adjustment to global trends, this is a signal that reinforces the perception of Plast as a stable and recognised business platform.
According to the organisers, the ability to attract new exhibitors indicates the sector's growing confidence in the Milan event as a venue for presenting innovations and for establishing and developing business partnerships. Plast is intended to serve as a reference point both for manufacturers of machinery and equipment and for suppliers of raw materials and semi-finished products for the plastics and rubber processing industry.
More exhibitors and stronger international presence
The trade fair organisation aims to further strengthen the international profile of the event. The objective is to significantly increase the share of international visitors, including representatives of key destination markets for the export of Italian machinery and solutions for the plastics and rubber sector. In this context, buyer delegations are planned in cooperation with the ICE agency, as well as agreements with key trade associations, both representing the processing sector and the target markets.
The measures introduced are intended to reinforce Plast's role as a meeting point for manufacturers, distributors and end users, with a focus on developing business contacts and presenting offerings aimed at markets with high growth potential. The organisers emphasise that the specialist profile of the fair favours a focus on a professional audience, including purchasing and technical decision-makers from industrial companies.
Free pre-registration for visitors will be available from March 2026. This will facilitate planning visits and meetings during the exhibition and allow earlier preparation of business agendas. Detailed information on registration and participation is published on the event's website.
Side event programme and market profile
The offering of Plast 2026 is to be complemented by a programme of side events, which will be announced in the coming weeks. The organisers indicate additional initiatives to support the exchange of knowledge and experience among market participants, although the detailed scope of these activities has not yet been provided. In this way the fair is intended to combine the presentation of exhibitors' solutions with a forum for discussion on current trends in the industry.
The segment of machinery produced in Europe is described as strongly export-oriented, including towards emerging markets with increasing investment propensity. In global terms it retains strategic importance. Access to these markets is identified as an important lever for strengthening the position of European companies, in particular manufacturers of machinery for plastics and rubber processing. In this context, Plast is one of the key venues for presenting this group of suppliers.
Innovation and technologies in focus
The twentieth edition of Plast is intended to be a platform for presenting advanced solutions for the plastics and rubber industry. The organisers emphasise the continuity of the event's tradition, which for decades has served as a venue for showcasing the latest technological solutions, responding to the market's growing requirements in terms of innovation and process efficiency.
The main focus will be on technologies and equipment for plastics and rubber processing, as well as modern raw materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished products. Attention is drawn to the growing expectations regarding the environmental impact of these technologies, in line with regulatory and market trends in sustainable development. Plast is intended to be a place for presenting solutions that combine production requirements with environmental criteria.
Exhibitors plan to present both complete technological lines and components and materials that match current market needs. For many companies, participation in Plast is an important element of their strategy for showcasing their portfolio on a European scale, as well as a tool for monitoring the direction of industry development.
Characteristics of Plast 2026 trade fair
Plast 2026 is described as Europe's leading trade fair of the year dedicated to the plastics and rubber industry, scheduled for 9 to 12 June at Fiera Milano. The event is organised by the Promaplast association and serves as a platform for presenting equipment for plastics and rubber processing and state-of-the-art raw materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished products.
The fair is intended to act as a meeting place for machinery manufacturers, material suppliers and end users, as well as an opportunity to initiate new business relationships. Milan, as a well-established location on the map of industrial events, supports the concentration of international participants from the sector.
| Dates | 9–12 June 2026 |
| Venue | Fiera Milano, Rho Pero (Milan) |
| Opening hours | 9:30–18:00 |
| Website | www.plastonline.org |
