K 2010 exceeds expectations as industry enters recovery phase

Strong positive impulses were clearly felt at the world's biggest plastics and rubber show, K 2010 Düsseldorf, with 3,102 exhibitors presenting the latest technologies, machineries, raw materials and services. Companies reported an overwhelming volume of contacts and a marked willingness amongst trade visitors to invest.

Mr. Ulrich Reifenh?user, Chairman of the Exhibitor Council for K 2010 noted the positive market response: "K 2010 was held at the right point in time and provided all areas of our industry with new impetus. The many and sometimes quite unexpectedly specific contract negotiations entered into at the trade fair speak for themselves!" Delighted by the good results Mr. Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, CEO & President of Messe Düsseldorf, said: "With 222,000 trade visitors, K 2010 has clearly exceeded expectations in the sector given that the crisis is now finally drawing to an end! The trade fair succeeded in providing strong impetus for further growth and our exhibitors were able to do business with numerous international customers of high decision-making competence." 

While visitor attendance was down by 8% compared to 2007 edition, it was justified by the fact that in 2007 the industry was still in a boom phase prior to the onset of the global economic and financial crisis. The wealth of new technical developments presented by raw material producers, machinery manufacturers and producers of technical components attracted majority of trade visitors. It was obvious that companies have consolidated their strengths in hard times, thus strengthening their competitive edge by developing innovations. With investment backlog having occurred during the crisis period, customers are now returning to make their purchases, thus spurring demand. 

57% of visitors came from outside Germany with foreign visitors coming from over 100 nations and all continents. It became clear that a further shift towards overseas visitors has taken place. The biggest group came from Asia – with about 30,000 visitors, with 10,500 coming from the Indian subcontinent. A substantial increase was also registered in the number of trade visitors from the Middle East. Around 7,600 trade visitors came from North America, while over 7,000 guests came from the African continent. About two-thirds of all the visitors said that machinery and equipment ranked first in their agenda, 48% were interested in raw materials and auxiliaries, while 26% target semi-finished products and technical plastics and rubber components. 

The bright future of plastics as a material for creative ideas, particularly in the field of energy efficiency and saving resource was further highlighted at this edition. The Special Show "Visions in Polymers" picked up on this theme, while film sequences, exhibits and discussions with industry experts focused on the future development trends and novel applications of plastics. The next K Düsseldorf is scheduled to be held from 16 - 23 October 2013.

 EXHIBITORS' FEEDBACK

At K 2010, Ticona's booth attracted the most attention where we presented a UC electric car that shows off the innovations we have made in our materials technology to meet growing market requirements. The products fully comply with current requirements of urban development, low power, low emissions, and provide a more energy-saving, space-saving, environmentally friendly low-carbon solutions for increasingly crowded urban life. 

As far as the markets are concerned, Ticona's wise strategy and rapid business growth in the Asian region have helped us deal with the global financial crisis more smoothly. In particular, we are highly satisfied with the Chinese market with its government's positive policies aimed at easing the impact of the crisis on businessesAir Jordan XIII Slippers