K 2025: India gears up for global spotlight in Dusseldorf

K 2025 is set to take place from 8 to 15 October 2025 at the Dusseldorf Exhibition Centre. The trade fair is expected to attract both exhibitors and visitors on a global scale. It will showcase a broad array of complex solutions, highlight international exhibitors, and present numerous world premieres. 

Thomas Franken, director of K-Plastics and Rubber, Messe Dusseldorf, while addressing the gathering at Mumbai, shared that K is the global hub for innovations when it comes to the plastics and rubber industry. He mentioned the highlights from the 2022 edition, where exhibitors from 59 countries participated. 650 exhibitors from Asia participated, out of which 160 were from India. K 2025 will witness participation from 167 countries—almost 86% of the world. Franken revealed that K 2025 has been fully booked since May 2024, an indicator that the plastic sector remains tenable despite the global headwinds. 

Despite uncertainty, global plastics production has been steady in recent years.  Franken stated, “Plastic was, is, and will be the best material compared to glass, paper, or metal.” He added that this is because plastic is lightweight, durable, and it’s easy to shape into any design. It is low-cost, it’s recyclable, and it has by far the smallest carbon footprint of the other materials. He also shared that 40% of the plastics used are to package food, and 23% is used in construction.

When it comes to Indian representation at the K-show, around 169 Indian brands will be participating in the trade fair. 84 Indian companies will be exhibiting their machinery and equipment for the plastics and rubber industries, 63 Indian brands will be showcasing their raw materials and auxiliaries, and 12 companies will be exhibiting plastic products and processes.

Bhushan Sonar, marketing head at RR Plast Extrusions, while speaking at the K 2025 presentation in Mumbai, shared his views on the trade fair. He recalled how his company participated for the first time in 2005-06 with a 30-square-metre booth where the machine occupied about 80% of the space. The company’s employees had to stand for eight days throughout the fair while dealing with customers. But thanks to K, RR Plast confirmed orders from Argentina, Iran, and a Gulf nation. Since then, he has been loyal to the fair for 20 years. Now, RR Plast has two booths with an area of about 400-square-metres. The company will be showcasing its PET sheet line, thermoforming machines, a recycling line, and other equipment. He said, “This will be one of the biggest demonstrations from India at the K fair.” Sonar also added that Indian machinery is at par with global brands in terms of scope and performance, and that is why India has an export market of 50%. He concluded by saying, “We deserve a good presentation at K 2025 on behalf of well-made India.”

Some of the prominent Indian brands participating at K 2025 are Kohli Printing and Converting Machines, Aawadkrupa Plastomech, Volcano Flexi Tech Industries, Acme Drinktec Solutions, Cosmic Machines, Lineomatic India, Mamata Machinery, Maruti Plastotech, JJ Industries, and many more. India’s representation at K has increased, and so has the reception of Indian brands globally.  Om Prakash, director, InOrbit Tours, who has travelled to Dusseldorf for the last 54 years, said, “Earlier Indians were neglected, but over the years India has transformed.” 

The motto for K 2025 is the power of plastics, green, smart, and responsible. The trade fair will also organise, for the first time, a networking event for women in plastics. At the event, women from the international plastics industry will share their professional journeys and hold discussions on the best industry practices. The aim is to create a professional network and promote visibility for women in the industry.

K 2025 is expected to give the plastics and rubber industry a fresh boost as many companies and exhibitors have reached their lowest points of production and are on a recovery path. The show will bring together a diverse group of professionals from around the globe from production, processing, and related sectors such as mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, electronics, medical technology, packaging, and construction. Attendees will discover the latest innovations and establish valuable connections.