WIS Kunststoffe used the K 2025 trade fair in Düsseldorf to underline the importance of material quality, regulatory verification and close technical cooperation along the plastics value chain. The company’s stand centred on a post-consumer polypropylene recyclate that had received a No Objection Letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2025 for food-contact applications, as well as on a series of concrete project discussions with processors. The event confirmed that reliably documented recyclate grades are gaining relevance, especially in contact-sensitive areas where stringent regulatory requirements apply.
The K trade fair in Düsseldorf is regarded as a central platform for innovations covering the entire plastics industry. For WIS Kunststoffe, this year’s presence was not limited to showcasing a food-grade compliant recycled material. The main emphasis was on direct exchanges with specialist visitors from the processing industry who are seeking stable, traceable and regulatorily compliant recyclate solutions for current and future projects. In this context, the FDA decision on the company’s rPP grade, which explicitly refers to the entire recycling process in combination with selected feedstock, was a key reference point for many conversations at the stand.
FDA-cleared post-consumer rPP and regulatory focus
The core product presented by WIS Kunststoffe at K 2025 was a post-consumer polypropylene recyclate that had recently received a No Objection Letter from the FDA for use in food-contact applications. According to the company, the authority’s assessment explicitly covers the complete recycling route, including the defined input streams. This documentation certifies that, under the specified conditions, the recyclate can be used to produce materials that meet the strict requirements associated with sensitive applications.
In discussions at the fair, the material’s food-contact clearance was seen as a tangible example of how recyclates can comply with demanding regulatory frameworks when processes and feedstock are clearly defined and monitored. Visitors were particularly interested in the traceability of material flows, verification of process steps and the practical implications for product design and approval processes in different markets.
“The feedback from our discussions shows that development projects increasingly centre on materials with robust, regulatorily verified properties,” said Daniel Römhild, member of the executive management team. “K 2025 clearly demonstrated that recycled materials are market-ready for specific applications, provided their quality is transparently documented. Interest in high-quality recyclates is particularly strong in contact-sensitive fields.”
Technical dialogue on packaging, consumer goods and automotive
WIS Kunststoffe’s participation in K 2025 was marked by intensive conversations with long-standing partners and new prospects alike. Many of these discussions focused on packaging and consumer-goods applications in light of forthcoming legislation associated with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Processors were looking for recyclate grades that can be integrated into existing and future product portfolios while meeting emerging regulatory and customer requirements.
Beyond packaging, the talks extended to technical applications in the automotive sector. In this segment, future regulations relating to end-of-life vehicles (ELV) are expected to increase the importance of recycled content and verifiable recycling routes. Visitors addressed questions surrounding how recyclates can meet mechanical and thermal performance specifications while also fulfilling documentation and compliance requirements. The company reported that topics such as process stability, long-term supply capability and quality assurance were recurring themes in these exchanges.
Regulatory compliance in international markets was another central aspect of the conversations. Participants discussed differing frameworks and approval routes, and how these might influence material selection and qualification. For WIS Kunststoffe, K 2025 provided an opportunity to clarify which documentation is already available for its products and where additional data or project-specific validation work may be required.
Pleased with the response to their sustainable products at K 2025: (from left) Camilla Dyla, Executive Management Assistant; Daniel Römhild, Authorised Signatory; and Kinga Teszáry-Urban, Executive Management Assistant.
“Walk of Waste” as a basis for process discussions
“The trade fair showed us how important it is to advance reliable recyclate solutions not only technologically but also through close dialogue with our customers,” added Thomas Müller, Sales Director at WIS Kunststoffe. A visual highlight at the stand was the “Walk of Waste”, which illustrated the journey from packaging waste to a ready-to-use recyclate. The depiction of individual processing steps often served as a starting point for detailed technical discussions.
Visitors used the exhibit to address specific process-related questions such as sorting quality, the influence of input stream composition on homogeneity, and the migration characteristics of the resulting recyclate. In this way, the “Walk of Waste” helped to connect theoretical regulatory and quality requirements with the practical realities of recycling operations and downstream processing.
Trade fair confirms demand for circular material flows
With more than 3,200 exhibitors and a strongly international audience, K 2025 underscored the growing interest in solutions for circular material flows. WIS Kunststoffe’s appearance, which combined ready-to-use materials, documented quality and concrete application perspectives, fitted into this overall context. The company sees the current market environment as one in which recyclates with clearly defined properties and transparent documentation are becoming a standard expectation in many application areas.
For the family-owned company from Breitungen, K 2025 was more than an industry gathering. It provided a framework for precise technical discussions and the starting point for new collaborations. WIS Kunststoffe considers itself well positioned to supply reliable material solutions to partners who rely on certified recyclates, including applications in sensitive markets where regulatory compliance is paramount.
“The sheer number of targeted contacts and the quality of discussions reaffirm the significance of trade fairs for us,” said Daniel Römhild. “Düsseldorf again showed how crucial personal dialogue is for understanding requirements, assessing materials and launching joint projects. K 2025 offered us an opportunity to deepen trust and initiate new partnerships, with a clear focus on practical implementation.”
A highlight of the company’s trade-fair experience was the visit by the fair’s Director, Thomas Franken, to the WIS Kunststoffe stand, where he was briefed on the company and its current priorities. His visit further underlined the relevance of recyclate-focused solutions within the broader thematic spectrum of K 2025.
