CHINAPLAS 2026: industry developments under China’s “15th Five-Year Plan”
As China embarks on the first year of its “15th Five-Year Plan,” a dynamic blueprint for innovation and high-quality development in the plastics and rubber industries is set to unfold at CHINAPLAS 2026. The Plan emphasises cultivating emerging and future industries, expanding high-level openness, and advancing intelligent, green, and integrated development. These priorities are intended to provide fertile ground for the plastics and rubber industries and anchor the exhibition’s strategic focus.
Covering more than 390,000m², the event positions itself as a platform to showcase how policy objectives such as intelligent manufacturing, sustainability and material innovation are being implemented across multiple application sectors.
The Recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan” highlights strategic clusters in new energy, advanced materials, aerospace, and low-altitude economy, alongside breakthroughs in quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen energy, fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, and 6G communications. These emerging fields are rapidly expanding the application boundaries of plastics and rubber, unlocking new growth frontiers for this pillar of manufacturing.
Intelligent upgrades and green transformation
The “15th Five‑Year Plan” calls for the comprehensive implementation of the “AI+” initiative, aiming to seize the commanding heights of AI applications and empower industries across the spectrum. At the very start of 2026, a series of policy measures were introduced nationwide, accelerating innovation in the integration of “AI+ manufacturing”. From industrial chain collaboration and upgrading to precise empowerment of SMEs, AI technologies are now being embedded across all aspects of the manufacturing sector.
Addressing the inefficiencies and low fault‑tolerance of traditional manual quality inspection, AI technologies are precisely detecting micron‑level defects while continuously learning and iterating inspection standards.
The Plan also emphasises accelerating a comprehensive green transformation. The plastics and rubber industries, as a vital part of manufacturing, are driving circular development through innovation, building an infinite loop ecosystem of “production–use–recycling–regeneration,” turning waste into a new starting point for the circular economy. Recycled plastics, bio‑based and degradable materials, recycling technologies, digital solutions, and energy‑efficient equipment will be the highlights of CHINAPLAS 2026, with live demonstrations bringing the vision of the “15th Five‑Year Plan” into reality.
A global meeting place
The year 2026 marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and is positioned as an important phase for advancing international cooperation under changing global economic conditions. The Plan highlights expanded openness, two-way investment and cross-border industrial and supply-chain development, reflecting a shift by Chinese companies from exporting products toward establishing international production networks and industrial ecosystems.
In recent years, Chinese manufacturers have increased their overseas presence. By the end of 2025, Chinese enterprises had established more than 50,000 overseas companies across 190 countries and regions. In the meantime, foreign investors continue to expand in China. In 2025, actual foreign investment reached RMB 747.69 billion, with 70,392 newly established foreign‑funded enterprises, a year‑on‑year increase of 19.1%.
Against this background of increasing cross-border investment and industrial integration, international trade platforms remain an important interface for technical exchange and business development. CHINAPLAS brings together suppliers, processors and end users from China and overseas, facilitating dialogue on materials, technologies and market requirements across the plastics and rubber value chain. Over time, the exhibition has established itself as a regular international meeting point for the industry.
Pre-registration
Pre-registration for CHINAPLAS 2026 has begun! Click HERE to pre-register for an admission ticket at USD 7.5. Visitors will receive an eConfirmation letter (Hong Kong/Taiwan/Macau region of China and overseas visitors) upon completion of pre-registration.