No other occasion anywhere in the world draws a greater concentration of plastics and rubber expertise every three years than K. And K is vital for all those who want to meet current and future challenges with sustainable, long-term solutions. The industry’s needs are no longer determined solely by the individual requirements of its three classic fields of application – packaging, construction and automotive. It is also governed increasingly by rapidly changing geopolitical, environmental and global market conditions.
Rising levels of plastic pollution have prompted the governments of many countries around the world to issue bans on plastic products. Whether a paper bag is ultimately more eco-friendly than a proven plastic product remains to be seen. Probably not. Irrespective of that, sustainability is an aspect that always has to be considered when producing and processing plastics and rubber. In other words, it’s no longer simply a question of effective use and management of energy and raw materials. The actual service life of a product must also be considered before even beginning to manufacture it. The circular economy is being given an even sharper focus than before at K.
And the same applies to “Industry 4.0”. No industrial sector can afford to ignore the increasing spread and reach of digitalisation. Quite the reverse: the road to the smart factory of the future has already been mapped out and should be followed with a balanced mix of purpose and prudence, giving due attention to the potential gains and risks.
