K 2019 in Düsseldorf: Clear signals for the responsible use of plastics

K, the world's leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, ended after eight days on 23 October in Düsseldorf.

The 3,333 exhibitors from 63 nations impressively demonstrated that plastic is still an innovative, indispensable and future-oriented material. But they also unanimously emphasized the necessity of functioning recycling management along the entire recycling chain and presented concrete solutions to this problem.

At the booth, AZO, too, oriented itself by the trade fair slogan "Thinking. Rethinking. Lateral thinking. Think new". AZO hit the nerve of the times with a new booth design and the topics of circular economy, recycling, sustainable raw materials and resource-saving processes. Especially now, when the focus of environmental protection is on plastic packaging and its disposal, there was a great deal of interest in sustainable solutions. Together with four selected customers, AZO presented exemplary solutions for the areas of bio-based, compostable plastics made from starch, PVC recycling of old windows, recycling of paper waste in the production of composites for patio coverings and for the recycling of packaging waste from the yellow bag.[sack for the collection of recyclable packaging material]

According to Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of the K 2019 Exhibitors' Advisory Board, it has become clear that despite current tensions in world trade or the situation of individual customer industries, global demand for innovative machinery and raw materials is very high. Furthermore, the visitor survey at K also revealed that interest in machines and systems for processing and recycling is much stronger internationally than in Germany. This trend was also confirmed at the AZO booth, where more than 75% of the visitors were international trade visitors.

The AZO®Poly business division was extremely satisfied with the results of its trade fair presentation. Over eight days the trade fair team held discussions with almost 1,000 visitors, presented AZO solutions and received a large number of enquiries. These promise strong post-fair business, which will be noticeable into next year.