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Messe Düsseldorf Previews K 2025 with Exhibitor Partners

More than 70 journalists from 33 countries, as well as 15 exhibitors and multiple representatives of trade show organizer Messe Düsseldorf gathered in Düsseldorf, Germany over three days in June to preview K 2025 (Oct. 8-15).

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Noting that at the time there were only 114 days until K 2025 (Oct. 8-15), Petra Cullmann, Messe Düsseldorf executive director, told the assembled press that the triennial event had been fully booked since May 2024 and that for the prior 18 months, her company had been involved in presentations in 40 different countries to help promote the show. Cullmann said the ground’s 18 halls will feature more than 3,200 exhibitors from 64 countries, including even more exhibits housed in temporary structures between them, with a global presence of participating companies from Europe, Asia and the Americas. The full halls come despite uncertainty fueled by trade disputes and geopolitical conflicts. Cullmann sees K as a chance to give the industry direction.

K Preview 2025

In all, 15 companies participated in the K preview, highlighting their plans for K 2025 with a little over 100 days until the big event. Source: Plastics Technology

“At times when we have a lot of uncertainty, with even more over the last few days, and in challenging times, the K show serves as a lighthouse for the industry,” Cullmann said. “It facilitates dialogue, and this is even more essential in these troubled times.”

Thorsten Kühmann, head of plastics machinery at the German Mechanical Engineering Association (VDMA) and EUROMAP, noted that after 11 consecutive quarters of contraction, the VDMA saw 5% growth in the first quarter of 2025. He said the relief was welcome but added that prospects would be brighter if projects in the works in the U.S. would finalize. “The problem is right now there is uncertainty in the market,” Kühmann said. “It is not the tariffs themselves, but not knowing what the tariffs will be. That’s the problem.” Once a deal between the EU and U.S. is finalized, he was confident growth would fully return, adding that where K falls on the calendar represents “perfect timing” if a deal is reached.

Below, listed alphabetically, are highlights from the 15 companies that previewed their K plans. In the coming weeks, look for more detailed reports from Plastics Technology on these and other developments to be displayed at K 2025.

BASF has now launched a reduced product carbon footprint (PCF) material range, rPCF, aimed at PCF improvements using renewable electricity and steam alongside the production process, with all its European Performance Material plants switching to renewable solar and wind energy electricity. It will show reduced carbon footprint applications using its Biomass Balance approach, including a Siemens circuit breaker applying Ultramid and Ultradur resins, as well as a Kask safety helmet applying Neopor. The company also discussed digitalization and the circular economy and the need to make a digital ecosystem, including a digital material passport.

Saudi-based Advanced Petochemical discussed how it’s expanding production with new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) facility for production of polypropylene (PP). The facility in Jubail has 1.65 million tons of capacity, including 850,000 tons of propylene production, with plans to make its Xtralene high-crystallinity grade of PP. The facility’s two lines apply LyondellBasell’s Spheripol and Spherizone technologies to make homopolymer, copolymer, impact and terpolymer PP. The $2 billion investment in Jubail 2 will add 800,000 tons of annual PP capacity by 2026.

battenfeld-cincinnati highlighted a number of extrusion developments it’s planning for K. The new solEX NG 105, targeting pipe extrusion, will close a gap in higher throughput system offerings, while its new dual-vent technology (DVT) features two independent degassing zones for more effective gas removal. For PVC extrusion customers that want a small footprint, the company offers a piggyback solution: the ConEX NG 65 paired with twinEX 78. To compensate for roller deflection in thin sheet extrusion, the MultiTOUCH-X with Axe-Crossing (also called roll skewing) is offered. Applying calendaring technology, the first roller moves while the second remains stationary. The iQ.Stack system autonomously stacks profiles at end of line, weighing, measuring and sorting each part. The IOA (Intelligent Operating Adjustment) technology uses a ball joint to adjust the pipe gap, saving material and providing more consistent output.

Taiwan’s Chimei discussed its sustainability targets, including plans to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 42% by 2030, with a goal to be net zero by 2050. Currently using 40% renewable energy, including from its own 15-MW solar energy park, the company achieved an EcoVadis platinum rating in 2024. The company highlighted its investments in carbon capture, wherein it retains CO2 from its production process and uses it to make PC.

Covestro discussed future mobility and its work with UE | Studios to create a self-driving urban e-shuttle in support of autonomous public transport. Saying the vehicle is supposed to be on the road in the next few months, the company noted it applies polycarbonate (PC) as part of a seamless aesthetic design, with sustainable seating via monomaterial foam. The e-shuttle will be in Covestro’s booth at K. It also addressed its ongoing collaboration with Neste and Borealis to convert car tires into base chemicals, including polycarbonate feedstocks.

Domo Chemicals presented recycled and biobased material offerings, noting that it is vertically integrated in polyamides and has ISCC-plus certification, with a full portfolio of mass-balanced products. At K, the company will present a collaboration with Siemens on a circuit breaker. Fully UL-certified, the component consists of 50% recycled nylon, with a 20% lower CO2 footprint and color match. At the show, it will also present Technyl mechanical recycling technology and a collaboration with Audi applying recycled fishing nets.

KraussMaffei (KM) will introduce the new all-electric PX series of injection molding machines, ranging in clamp force from 80 to 200 tons and featuring a compact design with a 23% smaller footprint. The line will eventually go up to 400 tons over next 12-18 months, with around 24% energy reduction compared to a standard 160-ton machine. The company will also debut direct compounding of chopped glass fibers with PP. The company said resulting parts show performance similar to long-glass-fiber reinforced plastics, but at a lower price. Chopped Fiber Processing (CFP) is retrofittable to standard KM machines. At K, a 650-ton GX press will mold an automotive part with the technology. In additive manufacturing, following the successful launch of the powerPrint at K 2022, KraussMaffei is presenting the new powerPrint FLEX and printCore variants at K 2025. KM and partner Leonhard Kurz will also combine ColorForm, which uses polyurethane flooding to paint parts, with a film decoration system for a mold-integrated, film-thermoforming concept.

Kuraray noted in its presentation that most of its products at K are ISCC-plus- certified. The company promoted its Genestar PA9T high heat range of materials for battery cooling. Featuring high-voltage resistance and the ability to prevent static charge buildup, these materials also feature low moisture/water absorption, which keeps cooling media around the battery.

Dutch startup Paques Biomaterials discussed its patented Caleyda PHA material, which utilizes organic waste as feedstock. The company plans to make resin itself and sell licenses for production, with a goal of 50 licenses to be sold by 2035. The company, which was spun out of the University of Delph, has seven patents and spent a decade developing a production system.

Reifenhauser, which will run an open house during K at its technology center in Troisdorf, Germany, emphasized what it called “automated extrusion,” which it positions as a solution to the skilled labor shortage problem, building off its PAM (precise, autonomous, mechatronic) technology, with the launch of PAM 2.0. It also announced it would group its digital solutions under the new Reifenhauser NEXT brand, including integration of industrial artificial intelligence (AI), and show developments in machine direction orientation (MDO) technology, particularly for the creation of thinner, monomaterial films.

Röhm discussed how it’s launching what it calls the next-generation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) technology — the key feedstock for its polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin. The company says the carbon footprint for this process technology is 42% lower than for traditional MMA. In addition, it has a capacity of 250,000 tons of MMA annually, with an overall yield of more than 90% and annual water savings of 240 million gallons. The company also announced an alliance for postindustrial PMMA recycling.

Sepro Group will launch the new Visual 4 controller, engineered specifically for injection molding, for deliveries in 2026 on all robot sizes. There are three variations available: Visual 4, Visual 4 Plus and Visual 4 Pro. In addition to updated cybersecurity features, the new control is more powerful, with the ability to manage up to 10 axes. The company will also introduce the new S-Line robot range, which will replace the 3-axis S5 and 5-axis 5X. Sepro says the S-Line will offer higher speeds, longer strokes and more payload, with 15% faster movements than its predecessor.

At K, Sikora will launch a “human vs. machine” challenge, asking visitors to bring small quantities of pellets or test plates to test for impurities. If the system does not detect any contamination, participants get a “surprise,” and if contamination is detected, the visitor receives a detailed test report that provides information on material quality. For hoses and tubes, Sikora will launch dynamic shrinkage prediction. It will also introduce corrugated pipe measurement, applying AI and X-rays.

Wacker highlighted an application of silicone in power generation and energy transmission, including its Powersil 1900 A/B. For electric vehicles, it’s launching Elastosil R 531/60, which is designed for bus bars or flat cables that provide better heat dissipation vs. round cables. The company also will have a live injection molding demo at K, producing a mouthpiece for the Air Up brand of bottles on an Arburg press. The company also discussed its Nexipal laminated silicone for printed flexible electronics. At K, it will show a seven-layer laminate that can experience more than 100% elongation for more than 1 million cycles.

Chinese chemical and plastics manufacturer Wanhua discussed its efforts to restructure its energy footprint, from the use of nuclear power to the application of renewable wind to photovoltaic energy. At this time, 14% of its energy comes from green electricity, with the goal to be at more than 50% by 2030. It’s also developing a new technology to divert waste heat from its production process to the local municipality for building heating. The company recently initiated polysulfone (PSU) and polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) production, with product currently only sold into China but plans to officially launch the engineering resins more widely at K.

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