The 30th edition of Plastpol brought 15,000 visitors and 660 exhibitors from 36 countries to Kielce. The trade fair highlighted investments in automation, energy efficiency and recycling technologies despite a slower European plastics market.
With live-running machinery, international premieres and investment deals worth millions of euros, Plastpol 2026 marked its 30th anniversary as a key meeting point for the global plastics industry.
(Source: Michał Stańczyk/ Plastpol)
According to the organisers, the International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing again underlined its position as the largest plastics industry event in Central Europe and an important gateway to the Central and Eastern European markets. Exhibitors and visitors represented industries including medical technology, packaging, food processing, automotive, electronics, household appliances, logistics and defence.
The exhibition halls of Targi Kielce presented technologies for plastics processing, including injection moulding machines, extrusion systems, industrial robots, automated production lines and recycling solutions. Live demonstrations showed the production of items such as insulin pen caps, components for medical autoinjectors, lunchboxes, technical industrial parts and products made from recyclates and natural materials.
Investments despite slower market
This year’s Plastpol took place against the backdrop of a weaker European plastics market. Nevertheless, exhibitors reported continued investment in automation, energy-efficient technologies and advanced production systems. According to the organisers, contracts for machinery, production lines and raw materials worth millions of euros were signed during the event.
“Customers are increasingly looking for solutions that enable predictable production management, reduce defect rates, and optimise energy and resource consumption,” said Adam Marciniak from Engel. The company secured machinery orders during the trade fair.
Business deals and new customer relationships were also reported by companies including Bole, Plastline, Plastigo, Proplastica, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, Bagsik, LS Mtron, Mapro and Muehsam Industrial Solutions. Exhibitors expressed cautious optimism about the European market, while pointing to efficiency, automation and recycling as key factors for competitiveness.
Anniversary gala honours industry partners
The anniversary edition was accompanied by the Platinum Plast Gala, where companies were honoured for their contribution to the development of Plastpol and the plastics industry since the early years of the trade fair.
The “Architect of Success” statuettes were awarded to Muehsam Jan Krzysztof i Wspólnicy, Dopak, Engel, Wittmann Battenfeld, Danje Polymer, Polimarky, A. Marciniak OT, Bagsik, Proplastica, Telko, Finke Colors, KGL, Elbi, P&F Wartacz, Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Polymer Materials, Sumitomo Demag, PlastLine, Asten Group, Mapro Polska, Hasco Hasenclever, Moretto Spa, Grupa Azoty, PlasticsEurope Polska Foundation, Enterio, the Polish Union of Plastics Converters and Tworzywa Media.
Kamil Perz, Director of the Plastpol trade fair, was also recognised for his role in developing the event over three decades. The management of Targi Kielce presented him with a symbolic statuette of Atlas carrying the globe.
Gold Medals for new technologies
The Plastpol Gold Medals were presented to selected products and technologies shown at the trade fair. Awards went to Xaloy Europe for the NeXtwin™ tungsten carbide conical barrel solution, Koltex PRS for the Erfor XR8 extruder, BMB SPA for the eKW20Pi/700 electric injection moulding machine, Thermoplay from the Spectrix group for solutions for waste-free lateral injection, DOPAK for supporting technological processes in industrial conditions, and Bole Europe Technology for the direct injection technology for long-fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites.
Polish companies were also among the award winners. Muehsam Rozmysłowy Dla Przemysłu received a Gold Medal for the stretch hood, Pawform for the E-Drive servo transmission system for internal thread-forming cores and sliders, and KGL for recyclable Menubox packaging made of XPP foamed polypropylene film for takeaway meals. Further awards went to Plastoplan Polska, Mapro Polska, Ekochem, Ebs Ink Jet System Poland and Muehsam Solutions for Industry.
Recycling, regulation and international cooperation
Conferences and technical seminars formed another part of the trade fair programme. Topics included recycling, energy efficiency and new EU regulations for the packaging market. The European premiere of the Plastics Europe report on the circular economy also attracted industry interest.
Date: 08.12.2025
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A new element of this year’s edition was the international event “Italian Polymers, Compounds & Masterbatch Solutions – Expertise Driving Innovation in Automotive”, organised together with Confindustria Polonia. Italian companies presented solutions for the automotive sector, underlining the fair’s role as a platform for international industrial cooperation.
Specialist knowledge was also recognised in the Omniplast competition for representatives of exhibiting companies. This year’s winner was Monika Zuber from Sierosławski Group. Tomasz Pyrek from DRP Group took second place, while Justyna Przęczek from Polimer Projekt came third.
New exhibition hall planned for Plastpol 2027
Preparations are already underway for the next Plastpol, which is scheduled to take place from 18 to 21 May 2027. For the first time, exhibitors are expected to present their products in the new exhibition hall at Targi Kielce.
The hall, currently under construction, is planned to offer more than 15,500 square metres of exhibition space and a height of 15 metres. According to the organisers, it is designed to improve exhibitor comfort, product presentation and overall trade fair efficiency.
“Thanks to the new hall, we will be able to offer exhibition opportunities at an even higher, truly global standard,” emphasises Kamil Perz, Project Director.
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