As 2026 marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, this year's CHINAPLAS emphasizes the cultivation of emerging sectors, the enhancement of high-level openness, and the promotion of intelligent, green, and integrated development under the theme "Transformation · Collaboration · Sustainability".

The leading international exhibition for the plastics and rubber industries officially opens today at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Hongqiao, Shanghai, China. The exhibition spans an impressive exhibition area of over 390,000 square meters across 16 exhibition halls.

From today until Friday, April 24, around 5,000 leading global exhibitors come together under one roof to showcase their cutting-edge technologies in response to market demands.

In addition to eight pavilions representing countries and regions—including Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, the UK, and the Taiwan Region (China)—Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd, the exhibition organizer, has established 17 themed zones throughout the exhibition halls.

Emerging sectors expanding application horizon

The development potential of strategic clusters in emerging sectors, such as new energy, aerospace, and the low-altitude economy, is a key focus of the 15th Five-Year Plan. These sectors are rapidly expanding the application of plastics and rubber, unlocking new growth opportunities for this vital manufacturing pillar and transforming the industries' development trajectory.

In the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, advancements in materials for batteries, charging infrastructure, and drive systems are leading the way. CHINAPLAS exhibitors like DOMO Chemicals, SABIC, Syensqo, Rianlon, and Shanghai PRET have introduced advanced materials that enhance performance, durability, safety, and comfort in NEVs.

DOMO Chemicals (Booth: 7.2D54) presents TECHNYL® ONE, a halogen-free, flame-retardant PA66/6T reinforced with 30% glass fibers. This UL Yellow Card certified material offers top-tier performance, with high fluidity that ensures excellent productivity and design flexibility. It is currently employed in the 500kW supercharger connectors of a leading electric vehicle maker.

DOMO Chemicals' TECHNYL® ONE J 60X1 V30 ORANGE is successfully used in demanding EV applications.

Meanwhile, RIANOX® 686 is a high-performance phosphite antioxidant produced by Rianlon Corporation (Booth: 8.2F22). Its low volatility, high thermal stability, and exceptional hydrolysis resistance make it an ideal choice for polymers used in high-temperature, high-humidity environments, including electric vehicle batteries, charging stations, electronics, and their associated components.

The low-altitude economy, projected to undergo significant growth in 2026 due to policy support, technological advancements, and market demand, is transforming logistics, tourism, and emergency rescue operations.

Plastics and composites are becoming essential in this trillion-RMB market. Exhibitors such as Covestro, Evonik, Kingfa, and Nanjing Julong showcase the latest material innovations in this sector.

ROHACELL® PMI foam of Evonik (Booth: 7.2C31), known for its ultra-lightweight and high-strength properties, is an ideal choice for structural components in electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL). This material allows aviation manufacturers to achieve lightweight designs without compromising safety, thereby supporting the growth of green air mobility.

Evonik's ROHACELL® PMI foam enables lightweight designs for eVTOL.

Featuring high glass‑fiber content and V‑0 flame retardancy, KingPan® flame retardant composite panels of Kingfa Sci. & Tech. (Booth: 7.2C66) can withstand 1,200°C fire exposure for 30 minutes without dripping. They self-extinguish within 10 seconds of flame removal, making them suitable for critical eVTOL components.

Humanoid robots are set for significant commercialization in 2026, driven by advancements in specialty engineering plastics like PEEK and PPS. These materials are increasingly utilized in robot joints, gears, and bearings, while TPE is excellent for flexible components such as artificial muscles and skin.

Exhibitors at CHINAPLAS, including Dawn Group, Lushan New Materials, and Wankai New Materials, are leading the way with their innovative developments in robotic materials.

Smart and green transformations fuel development

The 15th Five-Year Plan calls for the comprehensive implementation of the "AI+" initiative, aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) across various industries. AI technologies are addressing inefficiencies in traditional manual quality inspections by accurately detecting micron-level defects and continuously refining inspection standards.

Good Vision & Motion (Booth: 8.1A82) has developed GoodVisionUI, a printing quality inspection software for high-speed image processing. This AI-driven tool enhances image learning and prediction capabilities, enabling intelligent classification of defects. Key features include convolutional scanning, pooling, feature data flattening, self-learning, false defect filtering, and intelligent prediction.

At the fairgrounds, other exhibitors, including ENGEL, motan, and Jeenar, also showcase their AI-powered manufacturing solutions.

The GoodVisionUI software developed by Good Vision & Motion enhances printing quality inspection capabilities through AI. 

The 15th Five-Year Plan also emphasizes a comprehensive green transformation. The plastics and rubber industries play a pivotal role in driving circular development, fostering an ecosystem that encompasses production, use, recycling, and regeneration.

At CHINAPLAS 2026, the spotlight will be on recycled plastics, bio-based and degradable materials, recycling technologies, digital solutions, and energy-efficient equipment.

A global platform for exchange and collaboration

Currently, Chinese plastics and rubber enterprises are evolving from a focus on "products going global" to "industrial chains going global". In the meantime, foreign investment in China is rising.

In this climate of globalization, international trade platforms are more important than ever. CHINAPLAS acts as a key hub for face-to-face technical exchanges and business matchmaking, breaking down information barriers and promoting collaboration. It connects Chinese enterprises with overseas markets and provides foreign companies with insights into China's manufacturing and innovation capabilities.

With decades of influence and success, CHINAPLAS remains the premier global meeting place for the plastics and rubber industries, attracting exhibitors and buyers from around the world.