The Circular Economy Forum definitely takes spotlight at K 2022. On the exhibition grounds, the VDMA (German Engineering Federation) as organizer and 13 of its member companies demonstrate the pivotal importance of plastics technology in the implementation of the circular economy, from sorting and shredding plastic waste through regranulating to the finished product made from recyclate.

With machines running, visitors can see how plastic waste is converted into high-quality regranulates or how recyclates are processed into highly functional and recyclable products by means of various processing technologies.

By means of “The Machine” installation, nearly 40 companies with over 50 submissions present their technology highlights for the circular economy. The technologies include sorting, shredding, washing and regranulating, injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, additive manufacturing, ultrasonic welding, surface treatment, etc.

The initiative “We are plastics”, consisting of the major associations of plastics manufacturers, processors and machinery manufacturers, is presenting itself for the first time at K 2022. The initiative reported the progress and challenges of the transformation, its own activities, as well as its own expectations regarding the political guidelines that are necessary to achieve a circular plastics economy.