Figures released by Plastics Europe show that Near and Middle East together with Africa account for 7.1 per cent of the total global plastics production.

The global plastics and rubber industry has continued to achieve annual growth rates of between 4 per cent and 5 per cent since the turn of the millennium, with the Middle East witnessing phenomenal expansion in its polymerisation capacities along with the Asia-Pacific region.

Figures released by Plastics Europe showed that the near and Middle East together with Africa accounted for 7.1 per cent of the total global plastics production.

UAE’s local plastics, petrochemicals and rubber industry predicted to grow 5-6 per cent on average over next decade.

The statistics were revealed during a press meet event in Dubai hosted by German trade fair organizer Messe Düsseldorf GmbH to announce the upcoming K 2019, the largest plastic exhibition in the world, to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany from October 16th to 23rd, 2019.

The announcement was made in the UAE where the local plastics, petrochemicals and rubber industry is forecasted to expand an average rate of about 5-6 per cent over the next decade.

Five leading companies from the country will join the global fair that will gather more than 3,000 industry players from 60 countries to showcase their products, processes, and practical solutions for a productive and responsible future. The five exhibitors are EnerPlastics, Golden Key Middle East, Gulf Advanced Polymers, PAKLITE, and Power Additives UAE.

Petra Cullmann, Global Portfolio Director Plastics & Rubber, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, said: “Dubai, in particular, is a major player in the GCC’s plastics and rubber industry, making the emirate a strategic venue for us to announce the trade fair and tackle prospective growth prospects for the regional industry players.

“Exhibitors from the UAE will have an opportunity to engage with their fellow exhibitors as well as visitors from all global continents convening in Düsseldorf for the leading event. Only in Düsseldorf can visitors experience and compare varied and international range of developments, solutions, and trends and enjoy a practical discourse with experts. Only the K trade show features a high density of international product launches.

“In terms of importance, the K plastics flagship fair leaves all other international events of its kind far behind.”

The largest group of exhibitors of K 2019, which has been booked out for months, comes from Europe, particularly Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and Turkey. A large number of participants from the United States, China, Taiwan, India, Japan, and South Korea will take part in the trade show as well.

The United Arab Emirates is participating in this prestigious show to capitalize on networking and expertise sharing opportunities with other exhibitors who will showcase their products and services in all of the venue’s 18 halls, covering a total area of almost 175,000 square meters.

“K 2019 will underpin its special status not only by attracting the attention of the international industry, but will also address contemporary issues that confront the plastics and rubber industry. Humankind is facing significant global challenges ranging from climate change to digitisation, which need to be addressed by human expertise and intelligence.”

The K trade fair will also put the spotlight on the issues of energy, resource, and material efficiency apart from highlighting key opportunities in niche segments.

Like the previous editions, K 2019 will feature ‘Rubber Street’ once again to shed light on the immense growth prospects in rubber in spite of the fact that this segment is small compared to other segments of the plastics industry.

“For eight days, the who’s who of the entire plastics and rubber world will meet in Germany to demonstrate the industry’s capabilities, discuss current trends, and set the course for the future. K 2019 underscores its special position not only through its popularity with the global industry but also by addressing the current challenges of our era and especially of its sector, first and foremost in regard to ‘plastics for sustainable development’ and the ‘circular economy,’” added Cullmann.

Other major highlights include the special exhibition ‘Plastics Shape the Future,’ which will focus on solutions and answers to current social trends and discussions and the ‘Science Campus of K 2019,’ which will facilitate dialogues between science and industry with sustainability and recycling management to be examined intensively.