K Düsseldorf

When planning your visit, knowing the K Düsseldorf dates and opening hours is essential for organising meetings with plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers, polymer suppliers, compounders, mould makers, recycling equipment specialists, automation providers, and distribution partners.

Professional buyers in this industry evaluate more than individual products. Processing efficiency, material performance, energy consumption, sustainability, automation capability, regulatory compliance, and total cost of ownership all influence procurement and partnership decisions.

K Düsseldorf provides a professional environment for exploring developments across plastics and rubber machinery, raw materials and polymers, semi-finished products and technical parts, recycling solutions, and industrial production technologies.

Why Visit K Düsseldorf?

For professional visitors, K Düsseldorf offers a concentrated setting to compare plastics and rubber technologies, discover emerging innovations, evaluate suppliers, and follow developments across the global plastics and rubber industry within one event.

The event brings together manufacturers of plastics and rubber machinery, polymer producers, compounders, additive suppliers, recycling equipment specialists, and automation providers with production managers, process engineers, technical directors, procurement professionals, polymer buyers, and R&D specialists from automotive, packaging, construction, medical, electronics, and other industrial sectors.

Visitors can compare product ranges, evaluate suppliers, identify partnership opportunities, examine technical documentation, and follow developments in sustainable materials, lightweight construction, automation, digitalisation, and recycling. K is the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber, taking place triennially in Düsseldorf. The next edition will take place from 18 to 25 October 2028 at Messe Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf, Germany.

K 2025 attracted 168,660 visitors from 157 countries and brought together 3,246 exhibitors from 65 countries, with international visitors accounting for 73 percent of attendance. Visitors should check the organiser’s official website for the confirmed daily opening hours and the latest ticket, registration, programme and visitor information.

Source: K Düsseldorf Official Website — K – The World’s No. 1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber

Exhibition Background & Industry Context

K is the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber, taking place triennially in Düsseldorf since 1952. It is the flagship fair and the business platform for the entire plastics and rubber industry. The exhibition range is organised across four main product groups that reflect the full spectrum of the industry.

Key areas at K Düsseldorf organised by the official product groups:

• Machinery & Equipment — injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, thermoforming, compounding systems, rubber processing machinery (mixing, calendering, moulding, vulcanisation), recycling machinery, automation and digitalisation solutions, moulds and dies, hot-runner systems, temperature-control units, feeding and dosing systems, drying systems, chillers and cooling systems, pelletising equipment, downstream processing systems, and production automation
• Raw Materials & Auxiliaries — commodity plastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET), engineering plastics (polyamides, polycarbonate), high-performance polymers, thermoplastic elastomers, natural and synthetic rubber, bioplastics, recycled polymers, bio-based polymers, additives (stabilisers, plasticisers, flame retardants, colourants, coupling agents), fillers, masterbatches, compounds, and processing aids
• Semi-Finished Products & Technical Parts — films and sheets, pipes and hoses, profiles, foams, composites and reinforced plastics, moulded plastic parts, technical rubber parts (seals, gaskets, components), automotive components, medical components, packaging components, electrical and electronic components, and custom moulded parts
• Services, Research & Science — testing and quality-control equipment, certification services, engineering services, research institutions, universities, industry software and simulation tools, product development services, and specialist education

Is This Trade Fair Right for You?

Relevance depends on your role within the plastics and rubber value chain and whether your objectives involve sourcing equipment, identifying technology partners, evaluating processing capabilities, or understanding market trends in the plastics and rubber industry.

Ideal For

• Production managers, plant managers, and operations managers
• Manufacturing engineers and process engineers
• Technical directors and procurement professionals
• Polymer buyers and materials engineers
• Plastics and rubber processors and compounders
• Converters and mould makers
• Packaging manufacturers and automotive suppliers
• Medical-device manufacturers and construction-product manufacturers
• Recycling-plant operators and waste-management professionals
• Product-development teams and sustainability managers
• Tooling specialists and maintenance managers
• Quality-assurance and testing specialists
• Researchers, educators, and students
• Consultants, engineers, and industrial planners
• Media and industry associations

These professionals can assess product ranges, compare technical capabilities, examine system documentation, and evaluate processing efficiency, material performance, sustainability, and long-term partnership potential.

May Be Less Relevant For

K Düsseldorf may be less relevant for consumers seeking finished retail products or general-purpose DIY materials. It is primarily intended for professionals involved in plastics and rubber production, processing, industrial applications, machinery, materials, recycling and related research.

Industries & Business Areas Represented

Based on the official K 2028 product groups:

• Machinery & Equipment — injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, thermoforming, compounding, rubber processing (mixing, calendering, moulding, vulcanisation), recycling systems, automation, moulds and dies, hot-runner systems, temperature control, feeding and drying systems, pelletising and downstream processing
• Raw Materials & Polymers — polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PVC, PET, polyamides (PA), polycarbonate (PC), high-performance polymers, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), natural rubber, synthetic rubber, bioplastics, recycled polymers, bio-based polymers, additives, fillers, colourants, masterbatches, compounds, and processing aids
• Semi-Finished Products & Technical Parts — films, sheets, pipes, hoses, profiles, foams, composites, reinforced plastics, moulded plastic parts, technical rubber parts (seals, gaskets, components), automotive components, packaging components, medical components, and electrical/electronic components
• Recycling & Circular Economy — collection and sorting technology, optical sorting, material identification, washing and separation, decontamination, melt filtration, regranulation, recycled-polymer quality control, recyclate processing, design for recycling, mechanical recycling, and chemical recycling technologies
• Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing — polymer powders, filaments, 3D printers, and post-processing solutions
• Automation & Industry 4.0 — robotics, automation systems, digitalisation, smart factory solutions, and production software
• Testing & Quality Control — testing equipment, process monitoring, and quality assurance systems
• Research & Services — research institutions, universities, training, technical services, engineering, and certification

These business areas are connected by the commercial and operational requirements of the plastics and rubber sector, where processing efficiency, material performance, sustainability, and total cost of ownership are as important as individual machines.

Products & Solutions You Can Explore

Product and solution areas presented by the organiser include:

• Injection moulding machines and systems
• Extrusion lines for film, sheet, pipe, and profile
• Blow moulding and thermoforming machines
• Compounding and mixing systems
• Rubber mixing, calendering, moulding, and vulcanisation equipment
• Moulds, dies, hot-runner systems, and tooling
• Feeding, drying, dosing, and conveying systems
• Temperature-control units, chillers, and cooling systems
• Pelletising and downstream processing equipment
• Commodity plastics (PE, PP, PVC, PET)
• Engineering plastics (polyamides, polycarbonate)
• High-performance and specialty polymers
• Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
• Natural and synthetic rubber
• Bioplastics and bio-based polymers
• Recycled polymers and recyclate processing
• Additives, stabilisers, plasticisers, flame retardants, and colourants
• Masterbatches, compounds, and filled polymers
• Sorting, shredding, washing, and melt-filtration systems
• Recycling extrusion and regranulation systems
• 3D printers and additive manufacturing solutions
• Automation, robotics, and digitalisation solutions
• Testing, quality control, and process monitoring equipment
• Films, sheets, pipes, profiles, and foams
• Composites, reinforced plastics, and technical parts
• Seals, gaskets, and technical rubber components
• Industry software and simulation tools

Business Opportunities

• Compare processing machinery, materials, and recycling suppliers against defined production requirements
• Assess whether equipment and materials meet performance, quality, and sustainability standards
• Evaluate processing efficiency, energy consumption, and total cost of ownership
• Identify distribution, technology, and partnership opportunities
• Evaluate competing approaches to material selection, processing methods, and automation
• Clarify regulatory compliance, certification requirements, and technical documentation through direct discussions with potential partners
• Compare materials based on application, mechanical properties, processing requirements, and circularity
• Monitor regulatory and technology discussions affecting sustainability standards, recycled content requirements, and European regulations
• Network with equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, processors, and procurement professionals

How to Prepare for a Productive Visit

Before attending K Düsseldorf, careful planning can significantly improve the value of your visit:

• Define your strategic priorities: Identify whether your focus is on processing machinery, raw materials and polymers, semi-finished products and technical parts, recycling technology, automation, or research and services
• Prepare questions about processing capability and material performance: For processing machinery, ask about throughput, clamping force or output capacity, material compatibility, cycle time, energy consumption, automation interfaces, changeover requirements, maintenance intervals, spare-parts availability and operator training. For polymers, compounds and elastomers, compare mechanical and thermal properties, processing behaviour, material consistency, traceability, recycled content, application-specific documentation and long-term supply availability
• Review the special show and supporting programme: K is complemented by a supporting programme with special shows, conferences, and expert presentations. The event has included formats such as Rubber Street, Science Campus, special shows, start-up zones, and industry forums. Visitors should consult the official 2028 event programme for confirmed special areas, presentations, demonstrations and professional sessions
• Divide the exhibitor landscape by the four main product groups: Before the event, group exhibitors by key areas — Machinery & Equipment, Raw Materials & Auxiliaries, Semi-Finished Products & Technical Parts, Services & Research — to structure your visit efficiently. The fair takes place from 18 to 25 October 2028 at Messe Düsseldorf
• Plan meetings with potential partners: The event provides an opportunity to coordinate with manufacturers, suppliers, and industry professionals in one location

Review the organiser’s current exhibitor directory and group relevant companies by business objective, product area, or hall location before planning meetings.

Exhibitor Perspective

Exhibitors at K range from international plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers, polymer producers, and compounders to recycling equipment specialists, additive suppliers, automation providers, and technical part manufacturers. K 2025 attracted 168,660 visitors from 157 countries and brought together 3,246 exhibitors from 65 countries, with international visitors accounting for 73 percent of attendance.

Visitors evaluating potential partners should look beyond individual products to understand processing efficiency, material performance, sustainability, automation capability, and total cost of ownership. The event’s focus on innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, and B2B networking provides additional engagement opportunities for visitors and exhibitors.

Planning to exhibit rather than visit? Explore the K Düsseldorf Strategic Exhibitor Guide.

Continue Your Research

Research companies participating in the exhibition — explore the K Düsseldorf Exhibitor List to identify plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers, polymer suppliers, compounders, mould specialists, recycling equipment providers, automation specialists, and technical component manufacturers before your visit.

When comparing plastics and rubber events, use our guide to choose the right trade fair in Germany for your strategic sourcing or partnership priorities.

Understanding how German and European professional buyers evaluate suppliers can help you prepare more focused conversations during product exhibitions.

For companies using German trade fairs as part of a wider international strategy, explore how international branding in Germany can strengthen credibility, supply chain recognition, and long‑term market presence beyond the exhibition.

Companies considering participation can use this checklist to prepare for a German exhibition, including system documentation, material evidence, and structured follow‑up.

At K Düsseldorf, a productive visit depends on evaluating processing efficiency, material performance, sustainability, automation capability, and strategic fit across the plastics and rubber ecosystem.