Transforming the Plastics Industry: 'Towards Zero' Start-ups at K 2025

Circular economy start-ups Defossilizing the plastics industry takes center stage at K 2025

2025-01-31 Source: Plastics Europe Deutschland 1 min Reading Time

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At K 2025, the "Towards Zero" pitch on October 13 will showcase cutting-edge start-ups transforming the plastics industry with circular solutions and emission-reduction technologies. Applications are open until March 1, 2025.

The startup pitch “Towards Zero” will take place on October 13, 2025, at the K trade fair.(Source: Plastics Europe) — The startup pitch “Towards Zero” will take place on October 13, 2025, at the K trade fair.
(Source: Plastics Europe)

At K 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics technologies, the grand start-up pitch “Towards Zero” will take place on October 13, 2025, in Düsseldorf. Start-ups with innovations and technologies that contribute to a circular economy for plastics, the defossilization of the plastics industry, or the reduction of so-called Scope 3 emissions can apply until March 1, 2025.

The event, held on Innovation Monday (October 13, 2025), is hosted by Plastics Europe, the association of plastics producers, in cooperation with VDMA and Messe Düsseldorf. “K is the most important industry event for plastics producers, processors, and recyclers,” says Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director of Plastics Europe Deutschland. “The fair provides start-ups with a unique stage to present their ideas for reducing emissions and closing plastics loops to an international audience of experts, potential customers, and investors,” Bunte adds.

Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director of the VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery, emphasizes: “Innovative technologies are essential to achieving climate goals and driving the transformation of the plastics industry. We see K 2025 as the perfect platform for innovative mechanical engineering companies and start-ups to showcase their forward-looking technology projects and connect with partners worldwide.”

“The K 2025 fair, under the theme ‘The Power of Plastics — Green, Smart, Responsible,’ is centrally focused on new circular technologies and innovative circular products,” explains Thomas Franken, Director of K. “To ensure the European plastics industry remains competitive in the global market, the use of fossil resources in plastics production must be significantly reduced. That’s why the topic of circular economy takes center stage at the fair.”

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