Yesterday (April 16), CHINAPLAS 2025 attracted 102,774visitors, of which 23,199 (22.57%) are international visitors. The number of visitors in Day 1 and 2 is 182,668 in total.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries worldwide, and the plastics and rubber industries are no exception. AI-powered innovations are enabling manufacturers to enhance efficiency, quality, and sustainability, making production smarter and more environmental friendly.

As a premier trade fair for the plastics and rubber industries, CHINAPLAS 2025 serves as a crucial platform to showcase the latest AI applications aimed at optimizing production processes, reducing energy consumption, enhancing product quality, and improving recycling efficiency, among other advancements in the industries.

AI in smart manufacturing: Higher efficiency and product quality

One of the most significant benefits of AI in smart manufacturing is predictive maintenance. Utilizing sophisticated sensors and machine learning algorithms, manufacturers can achieve real-time equipment monitoring, preventing costly downtime by forecasting machinery failures before they occur.

For instance, leading injection molding machine manufacturers are integrating AI into their production systems. KraussMaffei (Booth:12J41) has developed processSupport component of the cloud-based socialProduction using AI to detect process deviations and alert users proactively. The company’s deep plastics processing knowledge has been embedded in a complex algorithm, and the technology leverages all available machine parameters collected by socialProduction.

Similarly, Arburg (Booth: 12F41) provides arburgXworld online platform enabling customers to work more efficiently with AI-powered features. The latest Ask ARBURG chatbot, an AI-driven tool, helps operators quickly troubleshoot machine and process-related issues by accessing a vast knowledge database.

AI is revolutionizing the plastics industry, the exhibitors and visitors of CHINAPLAS 2025 are actively seizing the opportunities of this trend.

AI-driven tools are also optimizing energy consumption during production by analyzing data patterns and adjusting operations in real time, leading to cost reductions and environmental benefits.

Maintaining high-quality standards in plastics manufacturing is essential, and quality control sees a significant upgrade through AI-powered image recognition technologies. These tools use deep learning algorithms to detect micron-level defects, ensuring that the end products meet high standards of quality, reducing waste and enhancing customer satisfaction.

The preform inspection system from Suzhou Yuzhen Technology (Booth: 2D61) adopts a deep learning algorithm that effectively manages complex detection projects, enhances testing efficiency and accuracy, and reduces labor costs by 10%. It also enables the statistical evaluation of production data, resulting in automated and intelligent quality inspection.

Suzhou Yuzhen Technology adopts deep learning technology into their equipment.

AI in sustainability: Intelligent recycling and supply chain transparency

As global environmental concerns grow, the plastics industry is increasingly leveraging AI to address sustainability challenges. For instance, AI-powered sorting systems can accurately identify and separate different plastic types, increasing recycling efficiency and recyclate quality.

TOMRA Recycling (Booth: 6A41) has developed the GAINnext AI ecosystem, which uses deep learning to enhance the sorting of plastics, paper and used beverage cans. Three of system’s applications efficiently separate food-grade from non-food-grade PET, PP, and HDPE, achieving purity levels of up to 95%. Additionally, there is one non-food applications that enhances PET purity for cleaner bottle streams.

The new GAINnext AI ecosystem developed by TOMRA Recycling enhances sorting efficiency.

The AI-powered plastic whole bottle sorting machine from Hefei Taihe Intelligent Technology (Booth: 10Q57) employs a deep learning algorithm to autonomously collect material characteristic information. Featuring precise multispectral recognition, it achieves a purification rate of over 98%. The machine can design process flows and multiple sorting schemes tailored to different application scenarios.

Powered by AI, Hefei Taihe Intelligent Technology's bottle sorting machine achieves a very high purification rate.

BASF (Booth: 17D91) and its partners are exploring how to employ AI to enhance mechanical recycling by accurately identifying plastic waste composition. Their approach is to combine state-of-the-art measuring techniques with AI.

By recognizing patterns in measurement data, AI algorithms suggest process adjustments and additional components required to improve the quality of recycled materials. This technology ensures that recycled plastics meet industry standards, fostering greater adoption of sustainable materials.

Sustainability efforts extend beyond recycling to supply chain transparency, where AI and blockchain technologies are making significant strides. Covestro has partnered with Alibaba Cloud to enhance the traceability of sustainable plastic solutions using AI technology.

Alibaba Cloud’s AI-driven Energy Expert platform plays a crucial role in realizing the whole life cycle emission accounting from recycled materials to final consumer products leveraging technology such as blockchain.

Another initiative to enhance supply chain transparency is the pilot project of SABIC and Circularise, which utilizes digital product passport software in mapping Scope 3 emissions and calculating CO2 impacts throughout the value chain, improving accountability and reducing risks in supply chains.

Explore, connect and transform.

Shenzhen—China’s technology powerhouse and a pioneer in AI—sets the perfect stage for CHINAPLAS 2025, where the transformative power of new quality productive forces takes center stage.

CHINAPLAS undoubtedly inspires visitors to embrace AI for unlocking unprecedented opportunities across industries through engaging with cutting-edge demonstrations and connecting with global experts. Let’s explore, connect and transform!