K 2007 Düsseldorf: Optimistic expectations were topped

Remarkable numbers of deals closed at the fair – robust post-fair business expected

Number of international trade visitors increases significantly

The plastics and rubber industry companies arrived at the world’s No. 1 fair for their industry, K 2007 in Düsseldorf, with an optimistic outlook. Good economic conditions in the past few months had aroused justifiable expectations of a successful trade fair run. And the high hopes were even exceeded over the eight days of the fair! Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of the K 2007 exhibitor council, put it in a nutshell: “We’re heading home in the best of moods! Already during the fair itself, a remarkable number of deals were closed – some of them in the millions. We forged so many promising new contacts and recorded so many serious enquiries regarding new projects that we feel completely confident about the continued growth predicted for the industry. Our user industries are investing vigorously – money that is going into new high-performance plant and equipment – to ensure strong positions in what is a thriving global competition.”

This opinion was shared by all the segments of the exhibiting industry in equal measure – from raw materials producers through processors to machine builders. From the first day K’s doors opened, the mood among all of the 3,130 K 2007 exhibitors was outstanding. The keen interest shown by the trade visitors from around the world and their obvious willingness to invest underscored the highly promising future awaiting the plastics and rubber industry. The technological innovations at the stands were not only accordingly received and assessed with great enthusiasm but also, in some cases, spontaneously ordered.

The roughly 242,000 trade visitors attending K 2007 in Düsseldorf came from over 100 countries. Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, and his team were delighted with the excellent response: “Just the number of experts to visit K 2007 in Düsseldorf over the last eight days – 11,000 more than at the previous event in 2004 – is in itself proof enough of the fair’s status. What’s even more important is the highly international profile of visitors and their willingness to invest, which was highly praised by the exhibiting industry. Intensive talks were conducted at the stands with visitors who came to Düsseldorf well prepared with specific project queries. This means that, on top of the successes achieved in the halls, exhibitors can look forward to good post-fair business. Once again, it’s been made patently obvious that K is and remains the premier event for the plastics and rubber industry!”

At the previous event in 2004, 231,000 trade visitors met with 2,904 exhibitors.

The results of the visitor survey confirmed the impressions among exhibitors that visitors’ international reach had once again increased: Fifty-seven percent, that is almost 138,000 trade visitors, made the trip from abroad – equivalent to 22,000 more than in 2004. They came to the Rhine from more than 100 countries and all five continents, even from places as far-flung as Ethiopia, Botswana, Kazakhstan and Yemen. About 55 percent of the international experts arrived from Europe and 45 percent from overseas.

As anticipated, the number of visitors from Asia climbed yet again. Some 30,000 specialists from the Asian continent flocked to Düsseldorf. Three years ago, some 23,000 Asians attended. Among the Asian nations, India once again provided the largest contingent of about 10,000. A rise in the number of visitors from Thailand and Japan was also recorded. The percentage of Taiwanese and Chinese attendees remained constant at one and 0.7 percent of international visitors respectively.

A distinct surge in the number of professionals from North, South and Central America was also noted. The USA and Canada were the home countries of some 8,300 trade visitors, up 1,400 from K 2004. Around 11,000 experts flew in from Latin America (2004: 8,000), above all from Brazil and Mexico.

The largest contingent of visitors from among Germany’s neighbours was made up by almost 10,000 Dutch experts, followed by the Belgians. More professionals gathered in Düsseldorf from Italy, the UK, Switzerland and Turkey than three years ago. A clear step-up in interest and willingness to place orders was noted among Central and Eastern Europeans. More attendees than in 2004, notably from Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia and Hungary, made use of the multifaceted information offerings available at K and placed firm orders.

Plant and machine building with its almost 1,900 exhibitors was not only the dominant exhibition category at K 2007 but was also the focus of the greatest visitor interest. Two out of three professionals polled indicated wanting in particular to investigate the innovations in this segment. For 42 percent of experts, the presentations of raw materials and auxiliaries held the strongest attraction, while 27 percent prioritised exploring the plastic and rubber semi-finished products and technical parts. Seventy-one percent of the professionals are active in industry. The number of visitors with top-level decision-making powers was higher than average. Almost two thirds of the K visitors ranked as top or middle management.

Visitors gave top marks to the scope of offerings presented by the exhibiting companies – 96 percent were satisfied or highly satisfied.

The K 2007 special presentation also received an enthusiastic response from visitors from all corners of the world. Here, striking demonstrations and expert discussions were used to shine new light on polymers’ spectrum of performance. The twice-daily fashion show which showcased functional clothing for various workplace and recreational activities proved a big hit. The special presentation was organised by the German plastics producers spearheaded by PlasticsEurope in cooperation with Messe Düsseldorf.


The next K in Düsseldorf will be from 27 October to 3 November 2010.


www.k-online.de