K 2010: More international, more new technology, and even (yes!) more business

The K 2010 tradeshow again seems to fall at a near-perfect time, when processors' pent-up demand after little investment in 2008/09 will be given free reign at the single event that draws more plastics processing technology than any other.

Werner Dornscheidt: highly optimistic about the outlook for K 2010.

During a multi-day press event hosted this week by Messe Düsseldorf, the organizers of the triennial show, it became clear from the K show exhibitors presenting at the event that, based on the number of new orders in the past few months, they anticipate a great tradeshow. Also clear was that the level of innovation of new products being introduced at the event again will prove a huge drawing card for processors. The show's organizers anticipate more than 200,000 visitors to the show, which starts October 27.

The exhibitors already have felt the event's pull. All 19 halls at the fairgrounds have been sold out, noted Werner Dornscheidt, CEO of Messe Dusseldorf, with those exhibitors coming from 55 countries. Manufacturers and materials suppliers based in Germany account for the single largest country contingent, but about 60% of the 3000 or so exhibitors come from beyond the host country. About 2/3 of the space will be occupied by machinery manufacturers, said Dornscheidt.

Exhibitors from 55 countries speak to the show's international nature. Dornscheidt said exhibitors from the U.S. will number about 100, with total space of these down slightly from 2007,the last time the event was held. Not surprisingly, the contingents of exhibitors from China and India will be larger than in 2007, and a larger number of exhibitors from a number of other countries - Turkey and Taiwan among them - also will be visible.

Getting excited about the K show? Visit our K Corner to help plan for your trip there and to stay in the loop on developments before the event.