INTERPLASTICA 2009: Moscow tops exhibitors expectations

The global financial and economic crisis has clearly made an impact in Russia, where forecasts are subdued. For the plastics and rubber industry, however, long-term prospects are considered promising, with still huge potential for investments here and in neighbouring states. The Russian consumer goods and packaging industries are leading the way in efforts to sharpen their competitive edge in a climate of rising import prices. Although the current restricted access to loans has hampered investments in the short term, many companies are securing advantages by keeping abreast of innovative technologies while developing new business contacts; this will position them to act quickly as soon as the turmoil subsides.

This confident outlook prevailed at the region’s leading trade fair, INTERPLASTICA 2009, International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber. The good visitor response surpassed the expectations of exhibitors, who reported a host of interesting contacts and detailed business talks during the fair’s four-day run from 27 to 31 January. Trade visitors zeroed in on cutting-edge technologies and system solutions. Many brought solid background knowledge of the international industry offerings and specific enquiries with them to INTERPLASTICA.

20,500 industry professionals from the entire Russian Federation and many neighbouring countries flocked to INTERPLASTICA and its parallel event, the UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA trade fair for packaging technology. Presentations by some 900 companies covered a net exhibition area of 19,000 square metres. “This puts the total number of visitors slightly below last year’s, but in view of today’s tough economic climate we were quite pleased with the outcome,” concludes Werner M. Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Dьsseldorf, “Especially considering our exhibitors’ positive reactions to the contacts and business talks generated here, which exceeded their expectations. This underscores the role international trade fairs continue to play in creating significant business opportunities. Suppliers and customers alike recognise INTERPLASTICA as a central information exchange forum for the industry in Russia.”

The event was staged for the twelfth time at the Krasnya Presnya fairgrounds in Moscow by Messe Dьsseldorf and its Russian subsidiary OOO Messe Dьsseldorf Moscow. Mechanical engineers, raw materials producers, manufacturers of plastic and rubber products, logistics companies and service providers all showcased their offerings. Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Turkey boasted officially-backed national presentations. Germany with 149 companies, Russia with 147 and Italy with 102 took the top three spots among the exhibitor contingents. The enormous international presence, with companies hailing from a total of 30 countries, offered trade professionals the unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of innovations from every corner of the globe that are specially tailored to the Russian market. Exhibitors, in turn, made the most of their chance to gain valuable information straight from Russian customers as to their specific needs and development strategies.

Additional interest was generated by RePlast 2009 and the conference “Technologies and Equipment for Plastics Processing”, events successfully staged by Russian trade magazines and Messe Dьsseldorf Moscow.

The next INTERPLASTICA is slated for early 2010 in Moscow, once again alongside UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA.