Smart Molding International 4-2022

18 smart_molding international 4/2022 T he joy of the plastics and rub- ber industry at finally being able to exchange ideas in person on a global level again after three years characterised K 2022 Düsseldorf and ensured an excellent mood among the 3,037 exhibitors. The companies re- ported extraordinarily good leads and a marked willingness to invest among trade visitors, mentioning promising new customer relations and the con- clusion of numerous, in part, spontane- ous business deals. “K in Düsseldorf has once again ful- filled highest expectations. It continues to be the most international, complete and innovative trade fair of the global plastics and rubber industry,” says Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf, delighting at the good results and adding: “The trade fair has impressively demonstrated just how valuable face-to-face networking, chance meetings and physical brand and product experiences are. We are very satisfied to see that K 2022 suc- ceeded in sending out strong signals as an innovation driver of the industry and that our exhibitors did business with a high number of international custom- ers with great decision-making powers.” 176,000 trade visitors from all conti - nents travelled to their most relevant sectoral event in Düsseldorf. At over 70% the proportion of international guests at K 2022 remained at a con- stantly high level. The verdict from Ulrich Reifenhäus- er, Chairman of the Exhibitor Advisory Board at K 2022, is also very positive: “After hardly any trade fairs could take place worldwide also on a national level over the past three years, K 2022 was all the more eagerly anticipated as the world’s No. 1 trade fair of the plastics and rubber industry and suc- ceeded in providing fresh impetus in all sectors of our industry. The many, in part, unexpected concrete contract ne - gotiations held at the trade fair speak for themselves!” The current unpredictability and uncertainty of events does make for a tight situation in the sector overall, but this did not do any harm to exhibitor commitment and visitor interest, quite Innovation driver for the global plastics and rubber industry. Multitude of concrete solutions, machines and products for the transformation towards a circular economy. K 2022 – Trade fair results fulfil highest expectations Photo: Messe Düsseldorf