The plastics fair as a starting point for making the plastics and rubber sector more sustainable

Sustainability and plastics, it is a combination that raises eyebrows with quite a few people. And yet sustainability, combined with smart, innovative forms of production, is the theme for the Plastics Fair which will take place in Den Bosch on September 20 and 21. The entire plastics and rubber industry is now fully aware that the future of plastics cannot happen without a responsible - and thus sustainable - production chain. At the exhibition organized by Mikrocentrum, the largest of its kind in the Benelux, this will therefore become visible in every possible way.

"We notice that society is becoming increasingly critical," says program manager Charlotte de Jong. "There is, understandably, a very strong lobby from environmental organizations. We have climate agreements, the Commodity Agreement 2050 and various other sub-plans to make our economy climate-neutral and circular. This means that in the coming years a lot will change in the production of plastics. What exactly, we would like to show you during the 24th edition of the plastics fair."

There is, understandably, a very strong lobby from environmental organizations. This means that in the coming years a lot will change in the production of plastics. What exactly, we will be happy to show during the 24th edition of the plastics fair.

Packaging

The packaging industry has an important task in this regard. Currently, only 27% of packaging material is circular, according to research by the Federation of Dutch Rubber and Plastic Industries NRK, which represents the interests of some four hundred companies. The NRK has been working for years to convince its members that steps must be taken. And with success. "We work to create a healthy climate for the manufacturing industry and encourage competitiveness, innovation and knowledge transfer, education and vocational training, a better environment and recycling," says an NRK spokesperson. "Our members do business sustainably and with innovation they are leading the way." According to the NRK, by 2050 as much as 50% of all packaging should be recyclable.

To achieve these goals, it is necessary that not only producers, but also processors, processors and recyclers do their part. Obviously also because their customers are all asking for it nowadays. Charlotte de Jong: "This is precisely why I am so pleased that the entire chain is represented at the fair. Only if everyone participates can we achieve the desired solutions. Also given the specific requirements set by the EU these days, it is necessary as a supplier to know exactly what the supplier wants to achieve. At our fair we bring all these interests together."

Machine Square

Central to this is the Machinery Square, where national and international exhibitors will showcase their state-of-the-art technology for the plastics and rubber industry. 'Pride in Plastics', as a theme directly linked to the sustainability drive, will be visible everywhere in this regard. "Here you will find the solutions for the circular plastics industry" explains Charlotte de Jong. Think, for example, of energy-efficient injection molding machines. From design, through injection molding to packaging, we show everything there."

Product manager Larry de Kleine Product of Will & Co wants to use the fair to show how, throughout that chain, they can help their customers move to more sustainable solutions. "We can think along from design to production. Material savings can be a theme here, for example by reducing wall thickness or density, or via cycle time reduction."

During the exhibition days, Will & Co presents the Post Industrial Recycle Engineering materials. "Here the focus is on the production of so-called re-compounds, high-quality recycled plastic granulates," explains De Kleine. "Industrial waste is used at plastics processors to produce new high-quality raw materials and compounds in an environmentally friendly way." In addition, Will & Co presents various materials that are renewable or biodegradable. "TPUs with good mechanical properties and chemical resistance, produced with a high share of renewable raw materials and a minimal share of fossil raw material."

TSG Group

The TSG Group is also fully engaged in sustainability when developing new products and machines. "Long-term use is important to us in this regard," says Paul Simons. "Whereas we used to focus on function integration through, for example, oneway snap-fit connections within DFA and the thinnest possible wall thicknesses, we are now looking more at end-of-life with design for disassembly, possibility of repair or replacement and use of as many of the same plastics as possible - mono-material solutions, in other words." Also at the plastics fair, TSG Group will show how each new project involves a dialogue with the customer about the R-ladder and the complete life cycle of the product including packaging. "Awareness always starts with design and therefore TSG Group's job is to advise that which leads to a smart, thoughtful and above all sustainable solution for both the customer and from a social perspective."

Material, construction and the product environment must be well matched to be truly circular.

Pezy Group

Value retention of materials is also an integral part of the work at Pezy Group, says Circular Product Design lead Thijs Feenstra. "Material, construction and the product environment must be well matched to be truly circular. A design that is made from recycled plastics, but can also be recycled again itself is our starting point." With more than 25 years of experience as a product developer, designer and engineer, Pezy Group supports anyone who needs help in product development and will also demonstrate this during the trade show.

Sustainability is not just about recycling plastics. Reducing energy consumption is also a goal. Some manufacturers are turning to electric injection molding machines for this purpose. This year's Plastics Fair has something special: for the first time in 15 years, a working Ferromatik full-electric injection molding machine will be on display. Plastima will demonstrate it in the Machine Square. "With a robot and a hydraulic arm that ejects the products," is how Plastima's Bob Pieterse outlines this part of booth the Breda machine supplier has.

Rethink awards

The central theme of the fair is also reflected in the presentation of the Rethink Awards, a prize by which NRK and Plastics Europe giving visibility to products and initiatives that contribute to sustainability and the circular economy. For the first time since the election began in 2018, the awards will be presented during the Plastics Fair. The link with the fair should lead to even greater exposure, explains Jan Willem Wieringa of the Rethink policy group. "By combining that great exhibition of circular products with the presentation of the awards, we have immediately caught a large part of our target group." The Rethink Awards are there to show how energetically the plastics industry is already working on sustainability. "The more companies enter the pageant, the more powerful that message will be."

Lectures

What else is on offer at the Plastics Fair? Charlotte de Jong: "During the conference program, several keynotes and lectures are planned with topics that connect to our target group. Think of lectures such as: 'Design for recycling of plastic packaging' by Partners for Innovation and 'The application of Cobots in the Plastics Industry' by Windesheim University. There is a keynote by Merijn Tinga (Plastic Soup Surfer) and Dirk Groot (Zwerfinator), but we are also looking forward to the lecture by Caroli Buitenhuis (Bioplastics expert for packaging & products). And while you're there, don't forget to take a look at our Start-up Area, the Knowlegde & Education Area or the Innovation Areas. In short: too much to mention. Not for nothing does the entire top of the industry from the entire Benelux get together here."

Plastics Fair 2023 will feature some 210 exhibitors on the show floor in addition to the Machine Square with 25 participants, an extensive lecture program with more than 50 speakers. Rethink Plastic Expo, Live Stage where prominent figures from the industry will present their views on current themes and various areas, including the Innovation Area. The fair will take place on September 20 and 21 in 's Hertogenbosch. You can register for free directly via this page.