PAGEV

Petra Cullmann, Executive Director of Messe Düsseldorf, stated that they aim to increase collaboration with PAGEV, which has the largest delegation from Türkiye—a country ranked among the top in the world in terms of participation at the K Fair—and shared her expectations and goals for this year’s fair. Here are the details of the exclusive interview in which Cullmann answered PAGEV’s questions and shared her key insights:

Could you tell us about the main theme of K 2025 and the key objectives you are focusing on this year? 

The motto for K 2025 is “The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible”. It reflects the current values and goals of the industry mirrored by the trade fair. The motto underscores the indisputable role that plastics play in various sectors of industry, ranging from medical device technology and automotive to packaging solutions. Plastics are an indispensable component of many industries, make a significant contribution to innovations and progress and are essential to designing a sustainable future. 

“Green – Smart – Responsible” is synonymous with the sector’s commitment to act sustainably, smartly and responsibly in plastics production and handling. The additional core messages focus on the following three key topics: “Shaping the Circular Economy”, “Embracing Digitalisation”, and “Caring about People”. The last theme emphasizes responsible use of resources, environmental protection, and social responsibility – including nurturing young talent and creating career opportunities for the next generation of professionals in plastics and rubber. 

How do the products and technologies featured at your fair influence the development of the global plastics industry? 

K 2025 will provide the complete overview of a plastics industry undergoing transformation and again have a plethora of impressive innovations in store. Nowhere else can you find as many world premieres as at K in Düsseldorf, which is why exhibitors keep their new technologies and groundbreaking developments under wraps until the event begins. Nevertheless, I am confident that K in October will bring significant advancements in the industry’s key topics I mentioned before. 

Let's just take digitalisation and AI as examples: almost every company in the plastics machinery industry is now focusing on digitalisation. The topic is everywhere. Artificial intelligence is also making an appearance. As they digitise their processes, companies have so much data available that they can use intelligent algorithms to solve certain requirements much more effectively. Three years ago, no one was talking about artificial intelligence. Now it is on everyone's lips. The first practical examples are also available. AI can generate enormous added value in plastics machine manufacturing – in design, production and service. The potential is enormous.  

Considering the global economic climate, exhibitor applications, and online visitor registrations, what kind of performance do you expect from K 2025 in terms of visitor and exhibitor numbers compared to previous years? 

Of course, we are going through a time of great uncertainty. However, there are some fixed stars of considerable radiant power, of which K is one such star. Everyone knows that K is taking place, and the world is heading there. It provides the orientation that is especially needed in difficult times. This is confirmed by the registration figures: With around 3,200 exhibitors from 66 countries on 178.000 m² net, K 2025 has been fully booked since May 2024 already (3,020 exhibitors/59 countries in 2022). Europe will be especially well represented at this year’s K, with strong participation from Germany, Italy, Türkiye, Austria, as well as the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Spain. At the same time, K clearly reflects the ongoing shifts in the global market: the number of companies from Asia and the exhibition space they occupy has remained at a consistently high level for years. Particularly impressive participation is expected from China, India, and Taiwan. 

As far as visitor numbers are concerned, 177,486 visitors from 167 countries travelled to Düsseldorf for last K. Unfortunately visitor numbers cannot be determined in advance, but we travelled around the world during the last months from South America to Asia, to Middle east and also did a lot of meetings in Europe as well and that showed us that interest in K 2025 is very high worldwide. We have also already received numerous announcements of large visitor groups from Europe, Asia and South America. 

Do you believe that plastics can overcome environmental challenges through a “circular economy”?  

The sector is working increasingly on a sustainable circular economy that promotes the reuse, recycling, and reduction of plastic waste and I am impressed by the increasing willingness of companies to offer concrete solutions along the entire value chain. But the costs associated with circular economy are still relatively high at present. An important key to reducing costs would be a vastly increased penetration of digitalisation. On the one hand, this concerns the digitalisation of machine and plant systems, allowing processes to be better controlled. It also makes it easier to handle difficult materials – and recyclates are more difficult to handle. On the other hand, material flows also need to be digitalised. This is where the digital product passport comes in for example, which digitally tracks a product over its entire life cycle. Machines and products are two levers that can be used to bring costs down. It will still take time, but we are well on the way.  

Beyond its commercial aspect, what projections do you have for K Fair to serve as a catalyst for “sustainability and transformation” within the industry? 

I think it will be an important source of information, a valuable guide and even set the course for the future. Many initiatives and projects have been launched in the past at K in Düsseldorf, even across national borders. The various specials at K provide ample opportunity for this. Let me just mention a few examples: 

The official Special Show “Plastics Shape the Future”, a project headed by Plastics Europe Germany and Messe Düsseldorf, focuses all three key-topics of K 2025. It illustrates the fascinating developments already happening now and how the visions for tomorrow are already on the way to being implemented today; but it also highlights the important role international politics play in this. “Plastics Shape the Future” comprises seven themed days – featuring discussions on innovative technologies and materials, keynotes, a political panel, Career Day and Start-up Pitch. 

In the “VDMA Forum The Power of Plastics” the VDMA and some of its member companies will demonstrate just how relevant technology is for implementing circularity in the plastic industry. In addition, the association offers not only selected finished products and live presentations but also ample room for discussion and interaction with workshops, panel discussions and events for young talents. 

For the second time the “Start-up Zone” will provide a platform for newcomers, who are specifically dedicated to the development of innovative products and solutions in the fields of plastics and rubber. 

“Women in Plastics” K 2025 presents a networking event specifically designed for women in the industry. Successful women in the international plastics sector will report in a panel discussion and best-practice talks on their careers and experiences and will be available for questions from the audience.

How do you evaluate Türkiye’s strong participation in K Fair? 

Türkiye has been one of the most important exhibiting nations at K for many years and is firmly established in the international plastics market. The steadily increasing participation of Turkish companies at the trade fair reflects the positive development and growing importance of the industry in the country. We are expecting 217 exhibitors from Türkiye at K 2025 – an increase of 17 per cent compared to the previous event and marking the first time that more than 200 companies will be participating. These figures underscore the strong presence and international orientation of the Turkish plastics industry – both in the field of processing and in machine and plant engineering. We expressly welcome this commitment and see it as a valuable contribution to the thematic and technological diversity of K. 

Do you have plans to further strengthen your relationship with PAGEV, which represents 88% of the Turkish plastics industry and brings the largest delegation to K Fair, in the upcoming period? 

As already mentioned, Turkey is playing an increasingly important role in the global plastics industry and is an important partner country for K, both in terms of exhibitors and visitors. In this context, as with many other international participating countries, we maintain cooperative working relationships with the respective industry associations in order to facilitate access to the trade fair for exhibitors and to organise delegations and group participation. We are also in constructive and regular contact with PAGEV, particularly with regard to accompanying and supporting Turkish visitor groups.

How do you assess the growing prevalence of digital fairs in relation to global (physical) trade fairs? 

I don't see digital trade fairs becoming increasingly widespread. Quite the contrary. During the Covid pandemic, digital trade fairs were certainly a suitable means of bridging the gap left by the lack of physical trade fairs. But by K 2022 at the latest, we will have seen that the experience of physical trade fairs cannot be replaced, either for exhibitors or visitors. People are social beings; they want to meet, engage in personal exchanges and also have the opportunity to see, touch and test machines, products and solutions live. 

What has changed, however, is that trade fairs are continuing to supplement and expand their digital capabilities and services both during the event itself and in the intervening years. We, too, have significantly expanded the digital services offered by K in recent years. For example, it has its own 365 days online magazine, K-Mag, with industry news, interviews, technical articles and videos, as well as its own channels on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Exhibitors can fill their exhibitor profiles on K-online with digital content as they wish. Our new chatbot on K-online provides convenient and efficient assistance to exhibitors and visitors alike with any questions they may have about K. 

I would particularly like to highlight the “Fair-Match” matchmaking tool. “Fair Match” is designed for both exhibitors and visitors. After registering, exhibitors can activate their participation with just a few clicks. Visitors register free of charge to access all functions directly. Based on the interests stored in their profiles and the product categories of the exhibitors, an intelligent algorithm suggests suitable business partners. This enables companies to find potential customers and visitors to quickly discover relevant exhibitors. The integrated chat function allows direct communication and easy appointment scheduling, both for the trade fair and beyond. 

How do the difficulties in obtaining visas for Europe affect K Fair? In your opinion, what should be done to address this issue? Do you make any formal requests to the German authorities regarding this matter? 

We are very aware of the problems surrounding visa issuance, especially for certain participating countries. As the organiser, we take this issue very seriously, as it is a decisive factor for many exhibitors and trade visitors when deciding whether to attend K. Overall, we anticipate fewer visa problems for K 2025 than for K 2022, which was severely affected by pandemic-related restrictions. At the same time, however, we are aware that there are still major challenges in individual countries – and this is precisely where we are focusing our efforts to provide the best possible support. That is why we and our representatives abroad are taking early action: we are informing affected exhibitor groups in good time about deadlines and procedures to ensure that applications do not fail due to long processing times. In addition, we are available to provide advice if required – for example, with the preparation of necessary documents. In addition, we are in close contact with the relevant ministries and embassies via trade fair organisers and industry associations in order to develop pragmatic solutions and enable smooth participation in the K trade. 

Finally, could we have your closing remarks? 

I am very much looking forward to K 2025 and cordially invite all industry participants to come to Düsseldorf and take advantage of the opportunities that only arise every three years at K. 

K 2025 should be remembered as a shared experience that inspires and demonstrates: “We are shaping the future – together.”