The VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association will not attend Brazil's major trade show for the plastics industry, Plástico Brasil, this year in São Paulo.
The association canceled its participation in the German Pavilion at the Nov. 8-12 event in agreement with the European partner associations of Euromap and the event's organizer, citing the continued spread of COVID-19 in Brazil.
The group decision has no influence on the participation of individual companies at the fair.
Brazil is the most important South American market for the German plastics and rubber machinery industry. Many German manufacturers have local branches and are actively involved in the international community through the VDMA office in São Paulo.
VDMA took part in the show for the first time as a group at the 2019 edition, seeing joint promotion as an effective way to boost the "Made in Germany" brand. The association plans to resume attendance as soon as the pandemic situation in the country is under control.