Text: Karita Silén

The plastics industry in Europe – or even world-wide – is during this October facing one very important happening. With COVID 19 we have been pretty lucky, because the three-year-period have jumped over the worst days and months of this epidemic. For many of us the last K Fair in 2019 has been the last contact before the world closed totally down.

The plastics world is in very tough movement. What is happening in eastern parts of Europe, the rise of prices in energy and the high level of inflation are brightly visible in the life of individuals but also business branches. Everything has happened using extremely high velocity, nobody has not even had the smallest idea to this kind of development.

Fair is the best place for companies to show their competence, even how they would be prepared to this development. It is not enough to speak of recycling or carbon footprint, now tough and right type of activities are needed in every part of business. Are we really on the right path?

What we expect the K2022 Fair to show to us and our colleagues? Naturally – as during previous K Fairs – actions and activities – as well as practical technology – to change our business showing more efficient and responsible features and results. Rules and regulations make demands to recycle and reuse of plastics, energy efficacy of business and new procedures to be implemented as part of daily business of companies at plastics branch. Such actions have already been seen, but… It is in some extent unknowns have we seen, however, and done enough. Probably not, there is still a lot to do!

Should moving towards hybrid f the main steps of plastics industry? The melting and molding can definitely not any more be in Europe the tools towards profitable business – multicompetence is needed instead. This would lead to electronics, optics, assembly, etc., competence from many prototypes of business branches. This is not something new, it was seen in Europe, when telecommunication was a big factor in plastics industry. The question is, would success be reached – and how easily – when decision makers are coming from new generations.

One of the main expectations is to see how the plastics material producers are answering to growing recycling and reuse demands coming from the society and end-users. It is not the question, if there are recycled materials available, but which kind of properties – compared to fossil based – will be ensured? And topics, such as price, availability, how to process, etc.

We reach K2022 with very positive thoughts filled with questions and expectations – what will the most important plastics fair offer to us. We will find – that is sure – new tools to increase our business, also important contacts will be found. But to get the answer, what would be the situation of the European plastics and chemical industry, when year 2023 starts – or even a little bit further.

One aspect there is very surely, however, nothing is reached without co-operation, labour and R&D activities. Without being active and also showing sacrifices that is not possible – that is more than sure!

Expecting nice and forward targeting K2022 Fair!

Karita Silén, Editor-in-Chief