During the anniversary 30th edition of Plastpol 2026 in Kielce, a strategic partnership between Plastpol Poland and Plastivision India was announced. The agreement is intended to accelerate trade, technology transfer and industrial cooperation between Europe and India. A key element of the agreement is the establishment of reciprocal barter pavilions at both exhibitions, which is intended to provide a direct cooperation platform for European and Indian plastics industry companies. In parallel, a cooperation agreement was also concluded with Plast Milan in Italy, further strengthening European engagement with India’s developing manufacturing ecosystem.
Plastpol is regarded as one of Europe’s most important events dedicated to plastics and rubber processing. Over three decades, the trade fair has built its position as a significant industry platform in Central and Eastern Europe, connecting machinery manufacturers, raw material suppliers, recyclers, processors and technology providers with international markets. Under the new agreement, leading European companies are to gain an important route into the Indian market through dedicated participation at Plastivision India 2027, which is expected to become the world’s second-largest plastics industry exhibition. In turn, under a special India Pavilion at Plastpol 2027 in Poland, leading Indian plastics manufacturers and processors are to present their offer, which is intended to strengthen bilateral industrial cooperation and open new business opportunities in Europe.
The initiator of this cooperation model is Jayesh Rambhia, honorary chairman of Plastivision India, who developed the concept of barter pavilions and signed the agreements with European organisers. During the ongoing Plastpol 2026 exhibition, Jayesh Rambhia and representatives of Targi Kielce, the organiser of the event, jointly addressed international media, describing the partnership as a significant step in industrial relations between the European Union and India.
Karl Jorg, president of the Global Plastics Association, said that the announcement of the agreement further highlights Poland’s growing importance as a strategic manufacturing and technology hub in Europe. As he indicated, thanks to Plastpol’s international platform, Poland is strengthening its position as a bridge connecting European innovation with Asia’s fast-growing economies.
Industry experts attending Plastpol 2026 pointed out that the cooperation has been launched at an important moment for the plastics and recycling sectors, especially as Europe seeks stronger industrial partnerships focused on sustainability, circular economy solutions, advanced automation and resilient supply chains.
Importance of the India-EU free trade agreement
The partnership gains additional importance from the historic free trade agreement between India and the European Union, regarded by industry representatives as one of the most important trade developments of this decade. As Ginu Joseph, editor in chief of Modern Plastics India and Modern Plastics TV, said, the agreement is expected to open significant opportunities for European manufacturers of plastics processing machinery, moulds, recycling systems, automation technologies and sustainable materials by improving access to the Indian market, the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
Ginu Joseph added: "Europe’s advanced technology and innovation, combined with India’s scale, speed and manufacturing growth, will create a strong industrial partnership for the future. The cooperation between Plastpol and Plastivision, together with the free trade agreement between India and the EU, jointly creates a historic platform for long-term business expansion between Europe and India."
Petra Lower, secretary of German Indian Plastics & Polymers e.V., stated that combining European engineering capabilities with India’s manufacturing scale, skilled workforce and rapidly growing domestic market may lead to globally competitive solutions for packaging, automotive, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and consumer goods sectors.
Anagha Salvi, secretary of the Global Plastics Association, noted that the cooperation is also aligned with India’s vision of industrial self-reliance and high-quality manufacturing under the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, while at the same time creating long-term export and investment opportunities for European companies.
