innovation
A concept car at K 2010 attracted widespread interest.
Focus on how“ plastics move the world” By: James Hilton
Held every three years in Dusseldorf, the K plastics and rubber trade fair is a trend barometer and innovation forum for the entire sector.
“ K 2013 will give us a complete overview of the changing world market, and we can look forward to a multitude of impressive innovations. We know that many of our exhibitors are already working flat out on their new products and presentations. Düsseldorf will be a powerful source of inspiration for the plastics and rubber world,” says Werner M. Dornscheidt, President and CEO of the organizers Messe Düsseldorf.
According to Messe Dusseldorf, the K 2010 show attracted some 220,000 trade visitors from 109 countries. K 2013 will be held from October 16 to 23, 2013. Company exhibits will be supplemented by a special show entitled“ Plastics move the world”. This is where aspects of the theme of mobility will be taken up –“ everything from lightweight
Petra Cullman, director of the K
2013 Project.
design in the construction of vehicles, aircraft and ships, to individual mobility and modern leisure behavior,” say the organizers. Suppliers from Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and the USA will be particularly strongly represented, while the number of Asian manufacturers from China, Taiwan and India has again risen, according to the organizers.
Automotive Industries( AI) asked K 2013 Project Director Petra Cullman how much bigger this year’ s event is compared to 2010.
Cullman: The 19 halls in the Düsseldorf fairgrounds are completely booked. The net exhibition space of K 2013 will be some 168,000 square meters. That is about 4,000 square meters more than three years ago. AI: What are some of the highlights of the K 2013? Cullman: The major highlights, of course, will be the innovations of the exhibitors! The manufacturers of plastics and rubber products, as well as their industrial end users, will be able to witness the pinnacle of developments in machine, process and materials technology at K 2013. This multi-faceted offering is being supplemented by a supporting programme that promises trade visitors added benefit. Besides the special“ Plastics move the world” show, there will be a Science Campus for the first time. University and research institutes will be presenting the themes of the future. We’ re optimistic that grouping these institutions in Hall 7.0 will encourage livelier dialogue between research and industry. Two more topics that will be highlighted are bioplastics and printed electronics.
AI: Tell us about the technologies / products that are particularly relevant to the automotive industry.
Cullman: I’ m sure that, for the automotive industry, the focus will be especially on plastics for lightweight structures, including foams, on functionalized plastics components and surfaces, on fiber composites and their processing and on hybrids. Not to forget about the innovative rubber materials that will be presented at K 2013. AI: How will the K 2013 motto“ K makes the difference” translate into the show? Cullman: K differs on decisive counts from all other events in the industry around the world – for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors. To mention just the most important aspects:
• K is synonymous with the greatest variety and highest innovation density worldwide
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