K 2025 opens its doors: “The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible”
From 8 to 15 October 2025, Düsseldorf will once again become the center of the global plastics and rubber industry as K 2025 opens its doors. Around 3,200 exhibitors from 66 countries are set to present pioneering solutions, forward-looking products and impressive machines in live operation. For eight days, the city will serve as a global meeting point for innovation, business and dialogue, offering a comprehensive overview of the trends shaping the future of plastics.
Under the motto “The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible”, K 2025 sets a clear agenda for the years ahead. The theme reflects the industry’s commitment to progress through sustainability, intelligence and accountability, while recognising that plastics remain indispensable across countless sectors of modern life. Whether in packaging, automotive, medical technology or construction, plastics continue to drive innovation and enable solutions to global challenges. At the same time, the industry acknowledges its responsibility to manage resources wisely, reduce environmental impact and secure a circular future for this essential material.
Guiding Topics of K 2025
In addition to its central theme, K 2025 will focus on three guiding topics that capture the sector’s current priorities and aspirations: Shaping the Circular Economy, Embracing Digitalisation, and Caring about People. Together, they form the conceptual backbone of this year’s event. Circular economy takes centre stage, with exhibitors showcasing advances in recycling, reuse, material reduction and design for circularity. The emphasis lies on creating systems that keep plastics in productive use and out of the environment. Digitalisation, meanwhile, highlights how connected technologies, data-driven processes and artificial intelligence are transforming production efficiency, product development and traceability throughout the value chain. The third guiding topic, caring about people, underscores the human aspect of industrial progress — the need for safe, inclusive and future-oriented workplaces, as well as education and skills development for the next generation of industry professionals.
A Stage for Global Innovation
Especially in today’s challenging global context, K in Düsseldorf reaffirms its role as the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industries. Nowhere else is the entire value chain presented in such depth and concentration. It is the place where innovations are unveiled, where strategic alliances are formed and where forward-looking ideas find a practical stage. From material producers and machinery manufacturers to processors and recyclers, every link in the chain will be represented, offering a complete picture of an industry in motion.
Beyond the exhibition stands, K 2025 will again serve as a vital forum for knowledge exchange and debate. Special shows, expert panels and presentations will address key topics such as circular economy solutions, digital transformation, regulatory developments and the role of plastics in a sustainable society. In doing so, the fair provides not only a marketplace for business but also a platform for critical reflection and collaboration on the most pressing issues of our time.