4,024 visitors | 184 exhibitors | 75 speakers

The launch of Compounding World Expo and Plastics Recycling World Expo in 2018 in Essen, Germany received an overwhelming positive response from the plastics industry. The co-located events created a marketplace for stakeholders from across the supply chain to make new connections, source innovative technology and grow their business. Attendees came away from this event energised from 2 days of networking and learning.

The exhibition hosted over 180 exhibitors demonstrating their latest technology and services from every part of the plastics supply chain from raw materials to end-of-life solutions. Visitors had a combined purchasing budget of over €4.6 billion.

Exhibitors included:

Biesterfeld

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Biesterfeld Plastic is a leading international distributor in the plastics industry, with long-term sales partnerships in more than 40 countries. Leading plastics producers such as DuPont, ExxonMobil Chemical, INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, BASF Polyurethanes, Westlake Chemical, Solvay, Chi Mei and LG Chem rely on Biesterfeld Plastic’s efficient services and have been associated with the growth of the business for many years.

Biesterfeld Spezialchemie is one of the leading international distributors of specialty chemical products and solutions worldwide. The product portfolio focuses on the requirements of selected industries, including lubricants, compounding, polymer modification, personal care, healthcare, paints and coatings, adhesives, polyurethane, construction, nutrition, electrical, electronics and energy. As a partner to leading global suppliers, the company is represented Europe-wide and provides solution-orientated, technology-based expertise as well as customised solutions.

Biesterfeld Plastic and Biesterfeld Spezialchemie are part of the Biesterfeld Group, which has been active as a trade and service company for 113 years. With over 40 locations worldwide, the mainly family-owned group is one of the leading distributors for plastics, rubber, and basic and specialty chemicals.

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Conference

Running alongside the exhibition was the Compounding World Expo and Plastics Recycling World Expo conference, where speakers demonstrated their expertise on the biggest issues facing the industry and their predictions for the future.

Speakers included:

Attending companies

These are just some of the hundreds of compounders, processors, recyclers, end-users and brand-owners that were represented in 2018:

Acteco ● Akro Plastic ● Ampacet ● APK ● Asahi Kasei ● Attero ● Autoneum ● Avery Dennison ● Bemis ● Berry Alloc ● Bic ● Bischof + Klein ● Cofresco ● Coca Cola ● Decathlon ● Deltacom Electronics ● DS Smith ● Electrolux ● Galloo Plastics ● Huhtamaki ● Inno-Comp ● Innovia Films ● Interseroh ● Johnson & Johnson ● KraftHeinz ● Lego ● Leoni ● LyondellBasell ● Mars Confectionery ● Mauser Packaging ● Nespresso ● Nestlé ● Nexans ● Oerlikon ● PolyOne ● ProAmpac ● Profine ● Reckitt Benckiser ● Rehau ● Renolit ● Röchling ● RPC-BPI ● Sabic ● Schur Flexibles ● Sogapol ● Taghleef ● Tarkett ● TE Connectivity ● Tetra Pak ● Unilever ● Veka ● Veolia ● Wavin ● and many more

"Great opportunities for networking and staying up to date with industry trends and needs."

Mariana Correa, Salt and Pepper Technology

"Great targeted expo with nice add on presentations"

James Mitchell, BASF

"Interesting presentations and the presence of key industry players make it an important and successful show."

Arqam Anjum, QolorTech

"A one-stop shop for recycling industrial trends and technology advancements"

Christian Kohlweyer, Procter&Gamble

"Good expo with the correct people on the stands that could provide answers directly instead of just sending answers afterwards"

Kevin Degryse, Berry Alloc

"These are not just visitors who are just coming to do window shopping. These are people who come with aims and objectives and are people with authority."

Ebbo Botwe, GPMA

"For plastics recycling, it is very difficult to find appropriate materials to work it. Just this morning I have found maybe 10 suppliers that could be useful to us."

Jan Puylaertv, EcoPixel

"An efficient way to meet a variety of actors in the world of compounding thermoplastics."

Carla Sottili, Nanocyl

"The Plastic Recycling World Expo was the first major event that we could physically attend since the outbreak of Covid-19. It was great to learn about new market and regulatory trends and to meet experts in the field."

Alexander Enthoven, Kryha

"Well organised and definitely worth visiting. I have learned and seen more than I thought beforehand."

Stephanie Lilje, ALBIS Distribution GmbH & Co.KG

"We like [the show] because it has a high level of expertise. Especially as a manufacturer of plastic regrind, it is a good opportunity to make new contacts and exchange ideas about current market developments."

Max Baumeister, TAE Wertstoffe

"It’s nice to get out and meet our customers again."

Gitte de Sousa, Euro Machinery

"This exhibition is important for us. We use it to make new contacts or to have the possibility to speak with existing customers. The covid period was a long time, and so this exhibition this year is the first possibility to meet each other."

Thomas Schill, Zeppelin

"It’s been more than one and a half years since we have had a live exhibition. I am interested in plastics extrusion and compounding, we are a distributor and I wanted to see what was new on the market."

Stefan Karis, Nordmann Rassmann

"This is our first show in the European market to introduce our products and applications [and] it’s a very positive sign to see so many full booths with so many different exhibitors who have managed to come from all over the world."

Christy Sapp, Greenmantra

"It’s my first time here and it’s really busy which is very good. We’ve had a lot of visitors and a lot of discussions, which I’m really happy about."

Pieter Imhof, TNO

"The four co-located shows are a real benefit, they all play a role."

Roberto Todesco, RVT Consulting

"I was amazed, this is the first time I’ve been to this show, and I was amazed at the multitude of people who present things and show things. It is a good mix of raw materials, testing, process improvements and so on, and with the conferences, this combination is magic."

Simon Bousquet, Total Energies

"This is a great opportunity for a lot of people to get in touch with their customers and other people in the market again. In a personal way, I’m really happy and surprised so many visitors have come to the show."

Guido Veit, Zeppelin

"I really enjoyed the exhibition, it was good to speak about the problems we face within the industry, the trends in the market and innovation, laws and legislation, equipment development and connecting with experts. Great package all in one!"

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Highlights video

Essen 2018 highlights video