K 2016 BPF report

Last week was the end of the most imortant event in the plastics and rubber calendar – the K exhibition – held over a period of eight days in Dusseldorf (19–26 October 2016). The leading raw material producers, processing companies and machinery manufacturers offered an overview of the latest technical developments, procedures and techniques of current construction methods, as well as a look at future trends.

The British Plastics Federation organised the British Pavilion at the show, made up of 25 companies located in one of the two halls: Hall 5 (materials) and Hall 12 (machinery). There were nearly one hundred British exhibitors in total at the event; some having individual stands and others exhibiting with their parent companies. 

The show – taking place every three years – attracted over 230,000 visitors from 160 countries and around 3,200 exhibitors. According to the Messe Dusseldorf report over 70% of visitors came from abroad, which makes the show truly international. Some of the visitors travelled from countries as far as Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Oman, Madagascar or Mauritius. Out of the foreign visitors the largest proportion came from Asia: nearly 30,000 came from South, East and Central Asia. 

"The K show was a great success for RJG and we were able to meet a number of potential customers."  
Richard Brown, MD, RJG Technologies Ltd

As part of the British Pavilion, the BPF hosted a UK Village in Hall 5 with stands around a shared networking area. Each day our exhibitors could enjoy a cup of coffee or a cold drink from the fridge and use the small private meeting room located at the back of the networking area. Also, BPF Members who did not exhibit at the show could use the meeting room if pre-booked in advance to meet their clients at a designated area. 

"We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your work organising and administering the British Pavilion and ensuring its smooth day-to-day operations."
Margo Stepnicka, First Pride / Ridat Company

Thirty British exhibitors were supported by Department for International Trade (DIT) grants of £1,500 which were administered by the BPF. The funding helped offset some of the cost of the stands and freights. 

“I’d like to thank the British Plastic Federation for supporting us through the K Trade Fair 2016. Getting the stand construction organised by yourselves made it very easy for us and we found on the day that everything was done as to our order. During the show, it was very useful to have a shared meeting space and the ability to ask for assistance.” 
Rafael Kilim, Director, Almo / ADDmix

British Plastics Industry Directory K 2016

The BPF has collated a listing of BPF members including all UK exhibitors at K 2016 in a guide to promote UK plastics manufacturers and suppliers. With 1,500 copies printed and handed out at the show – plus an electronic version available to download – the guide was a great success. If you would like to see an interactive version of the guide click here or download a pdf below.

“Very impressed with the support of both the BPF and the UK stand builder.”
Ken Braney, Plastics Machinery Group International Ltd

Some of the British exhibitors and visitors stayed at the Hotelboat docked at the bank of the river Rheine, near Dusseldorf's Altstadt (old town). The BPF worked with a travel agent to reserve over 70 cabins of MS Switzerland II. Staying in a group hotel provided the British delegates with plenty of opportunities to network and relax in the evening after a long day on the stand.

" We have always visited the K show, but last year the decision was taken to attend K 2016 as part of the British Pavilion, organised by the British Plastics Federation.  The whole experience has been extremely positive, the BPF have been very supportive in assisting with the organisation prior to and during the show.

Having a footprint this year has provided a platform to engage with those existing export customers that we already have and the level of new enquiry has been really encouraging."
Chris Wright, MD, Astropol Ltd 

We are looking forward to the next edition of the K show which will again be held in Dusseldorf between 16–23 October 2019. 

British Pavilion Exhibitors...

For more information on the Briitsh Pavilions at foreign plastics exhibitions please contact Justyna Elliott at the BPF on  [email protected]  Alternatively, please complete the form below and we will contact you shortly... Thank you.