K 2025: The world’s leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry

Especially in challenging times, K underlines its role as the world's most important trade fair: it presents the entire value chain at the highest level and is a venue with an exceptional concentration of innovations and product launches. Nowhere else will you see so many live demonstrations of machinery in action. As a global showcase and platform for international cooperation, K in Düsseldorf actively shapes the future – whether through groundbreaking technologies, intensive discussions or new partnerships.

Facts, Figures and International Reach

K impresses not only with its size, but also with its global reach. The trade fair's exhibition space has been sold out since May 2024. The industry will present its full spectrum across more than 177.000 m² of exhibition space in 18 halls and in the outdoor exhibition area:

• Machinery and equipment: Halls 1, 3–4, 8b and 9–17
• Raw materials and auxiliary materials: Halls 5, 6, 7, 7a, 8a, 8b
• Semi-finished products, technical parts and reinforced plastics products: Halls 5, 6, 7, 7a, 8a, 8b

K 2022 attracted 3.020 exhibitors from 59 countries and 177.486 visitors from 167 countries. 71 % of trade visitors came from abroad – with particularly strong representation from Europe, Asia and the USA. A similar picture is expected in 2025, with strong participation from Germany, Italy, Turkey, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain, as well as impressive presentations from China, India, Taiwan and the USA.

Photo: Messe Düsseldorf

Visitors value K in Düsseldorf for its high level of innovation and strong market presence (98 % satisfaction). In addition to plastics and rubber processing, it also attracts representatives from user industries such as automotive, packaging technology, electrical engineering, construction, medical technology and aerospace.

Key Themes of K 2025: Shaping the Future

This year's key themes reflect the major challenges of our time:

• Shaping the Circular Economy: The circular economy is the biggest area of action for the plastics and rubber industry.
• Embracing Digitalization: Using digital technologies to increase efficiency and innovation.
• Caring About People: Focusing on environmental responsibility, supporting young talent and social change.

Highlights and New Formats

The K 2025 special features address these themes:

• “Plastics shape the Future” Special Show: Presents visions and technological solutions in Hall 6 – with themed days, panel discussions, a careers day and a startup showcase.
• Power of Plastics Forum – VDMA Dome: In the open area between Halls 10 and 16, the VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery association and its member companies will present innovative recycling technologies, live demonstrations, workshops and discussion forums for a direct exchange of views.
• Rubberstreet: It has been a showcase for the elastomer industry at K in Düsseldorf since 1983. This year, it will launch with a new concept and, for the first time, will be organised by wdk (Wirtschaftsverband der deutschen Kautschukindustrie e.V.) in Hall 6.
• Start-up Zone: Following its successful debut in 2022, the format will be expanded further this year, and innovative newcomers will introduce themselves to the professional community in Hall 7.
• Science Campus: Universities and institutes present the latest research with an expanded concept and the Campus Center hub. For the first time, the Science Campus in Hall 7 will be located in the immediate vicinity of the Start-up Zone in Hall 7 to make effective use of synergies.
• Young Talents Lounge: A new contact point for people starting their careers, with an interactive overview of training and degree programmes at gkv (Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie e.V.) in Hall 8.
• Women in Plastics: The debut of a networking event specifically for women in the plastics industry. On Sunday, 12 October at 16:00 in Hall 6, in the Plastics Shape the Future special show area, K 2025 invites attendees to a keynote speech, a panel discussion, examples of best practice and a subsequent get-together by women for women.

Trade Fair Opening Hours and Tickets

K 2025 will be open daily from 10.00 to 18.30 from Wednesday, 8 October, to Wednesday, 15 October. Tickets can be purchased online at discounted prices. A day ticket costs 60 euros, and a three-day ticket costs 125 euros. School pupils and students pay 20 euros for a day ticket.

Further information is available at www.k-online.com.