The global plastics and rubber industry has averaged annual growth of between 4 and 5 percent since the turn of the millennium, with the Middle East witnessing phenomenal expansion in its polymerization capacities along with the Asia-Pacific region.
Figures released by Plastics Europe showed that the near and Middle East, together with Africa, accounted for 7.1 percent of total global plastics production.
The statistics were revealed during a press event in Dubai hosted by Messe Düsseldorf GmbH to promote K 2019, the largest plastic exhibition in the world, to be held Oct. 16-23 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The announcement was made in the United Arab Emirates, where the local plastics, petrochemicals and rubber industry is forecast to expand an average of 5-6 percent annually over the next decade.
“Dubai, in particular, is a major player in the GCC's plastics and rubber industry, making the emirate a strategic venue for us to announce the trade fair and tackle prospective growth prospects for the regional industry players,” Petra Cullmann, global portfolio director for plastics & rubber for Messe Düsseldorf, said in a news release.
The largest group of exhibitors will come from Europe, particularly Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and Turkey. A large number of participants from the United States, China, Taiwan, India, Japan, and South Korea will take part as well.
The show venue covers 18 halls and almost 175,000 square meters.
The K fair will also spotlight issues of energy, resource, and material efficiency.
“K 2019 underscores its special position not only through its popularity with the global industry but also by addressing the current challenges of our era and especially of its sector, first and foremost in regard to ‘plastics for sustainable development' and the ‘circular economy,'” Cullmann said.
For information see www.k-online.com.