EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 11/25 www.petpla.net 29 K 2025 wraps up on a positive note K 2025, the most relevant trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry worldwide, drew to a successful close on October 15, 2025 after eight days. In view of the current difficult economic climate, many companies in the plastics and rubber industry travelled to Düsseldorf with rather subdued expectations. But the mood prevailing across the fully occupied exhibition grounds proved outstanding on all trade fair days. The plastics and rubber industry presented itself as more innovative, international and determined than ever to actively shape the transition to more sustainability, digitalisation and social responsibility. Under the strapline “The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible” 3,275 exhibitors (2022: 3,020) from 66 nations presented forwardlooking technologies, products and processes along their entire value chain across 18 exhibition halls and outdoor areas. Over 175,000 trade visitors (2022: over 177,000) from around 160 countries travelled to Düsseldorf, keeping attendance levels stable. 73% of all visitors came from abroad and over one third of these from overseas. A particularly strong representation was seen from China (6,300 visitors) and India (6,400 visitors). A total of 10,000 visitors travelled from the US and Brazil to K 2025. The trade fair again stood out with an above-average ratio of decision-makers (67%). Visitors from throughout the world came hungry for information: alongside recycling, resource savings and topics related to circularity, conversations also centred on digitalisation, automation, AI, and efficiency increases. The next K will be held in Düsseldorf from October 18 to 25, 2028. www.k-online.com Yoghurt cups made from Sprit Engel, together with Novapet, Polytainers, Plastisud, MCC, Pagès Group, Piovan, R-Cycle, NGR and Danone, showcased a fully integrated, high-performance all electric industrial production line for the manufacturing of ultra-thin wall yoghurt cups at K 2025. The yoghurt cups contain 70% Novapet Sprit B21 PET resin and 30% rPET, produced with NGR technology, and are in compliance with the requirements of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) for 2030. Engel said that production of ultrathin wall cups requires a high technological level in injection moulding, particularly when processing challenging materials such as PET and rPET. Novapet supplied virgin PET; NGR provided recycled and pelletised rPET; Canadian company Polytainers manufactured the cups; and PAGÉS: Provided automation for in-mould labelling, inspection and packaging. Engel’s e-motion 420 injection moulding machine, with a 4,200 kN clamping force, produced 12 cups per cycle using a 6+6 stack mould from Plastisud to produce 12 cups per 5 s cycle. Each cup weighed 10 g. Engel’s new 2465 injection unit can achieve speeds of 500mm/s, about 67% faster than standard systems. The process used injection-compression moulding, which reduces pressure and material stress and is claimed to be ideal for thin-wall applications. Labels from MCC Verstraete’s NextCycle PET are designed for easy separation during recycling, helping to ensure pure, dye-free rPET recovery. The PET inmachine label makes the packaging 100% recyclable. Danone, the leading producer of yoghurt and other dairy products, is a key part of this collaboration and places particular emphasis on sustainability. These cups represent a prime example of the early implementation of regulatory requirements through a forward-looking packaging concept, Engel said. At K 2025, the complete circular economy cycle for this product was demonstrated: from feedstock preparation through the manufacturing of the cups, to the recycling process at the end of their service life. www.novapet.com Novapet Sprit B21 PET resin
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