The XI edition of ColombiaPlast recently ended successfully in Bogota, Colombia. During five days, over 36,000 visitors learned first-hand about the advances in the plastic, rubber, petrochemical, container and packaging industries. The focus was on industrial machinery, environmental protection, industry 4.0, robotics, the internet of things, circular economy, innovation in composite materials and 3D printing. A total of 207 exhibitors from 17 countries participated on 5,000 square meters of exhibit space. ColombiaPlast featured companies from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, China, Chile, Colombia, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan and the U.S. The exhibits were complemented by more than 70 conferences. ColombiaPlast was held concurrently with the International Industrial Fair of Bogotá (FIB) and the visitor number includes both events.
ColombiaPlast 2022 was jointly organized by Acoplásticos, Corferias and Messe Düsseldorf North America. This was the first time that Messe Düsseldorf North America was involved in the event. The three companies signed an agreement in December 2020. Messe Düsseldorf North America is the U.S. subsidiary of the organizer of K, the world’s No. 1 trade fair for the plastic and rubber sectors (held every three years in Düsseldorf, Germany). Due to this agreement, ColombiaPlast is the first trade fair on the South American continent to become part of Messe Düsseldorf’s “Global Gate” portfolio which includes 10 plastics and rubber trade fairs worldwide. Thomas Franken, Director of the K trade fair at Messe Düsseldorf, stated: “We are excited to welcome ColombiaPlast to our “Global Gate” portfolio. Colombia is one of the fastest growing markets for plastics technology in Latin America and ColombiaPlast is the most important trade fair in the region. It is vital for us to show our commitment in this market and with this acquisition we are making our first foray into plastics and rubber in South America.”
“We built a new version of ColombiaPlast in order to make visible the advances, efforts and new business ideas of the industry. During these five days we confirmed that the sector is going through a positive phase and that this trade fair is the ideal platform to continue contributing to the economic reactivation of the country. Thanks to the exhibitors and visitors, we verified that we are a strategic platform for the national and international industry,” said Daniel Mitchell, President of Acoplásticos.
Tom Mitchell, President of Messe Düsseldorf North America, added: “We and our partners, Corferias and Acoplásticos, are delighted to bring together professionals from Colombia, the Americas and around the world to explore the latest innovations in the sector of plastics and a variety of specialized categories. With a high caliber conference and the presentation of innovative products, ColombiaPlast offers a powerful business platform.”
According to Andrés López, Executive President of Corferias: “There were more than 200 exhibitors who believe in the return of one of the most anticipated industrial events in Colombia. This trade fair is the result of the work of three great partners: Acoplásticos and Messe Düsseldorf North America, accompanied by the experience that has characterized us for more than 66 years as a trade fair organizer.”
Business Roundtable Results
During ColombiaPlast, a special 1-day business roundtable meeting was organized with the support of ProColombia. Buyers from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic met with 73 exhibitors. During the roundtable, 165 appointments were made and business worth $4.7 million is expected as a result.
Sustainable economy and companies committed to the environment
Important topics at ColombiaPlast 2022 were circular economy, sustainable production and closing the materials cycle. “Our trade fair covers a region with great potential and encompasses sectors that have immense challenges, for example, in sustainability, automation and new materials,” remarked Daniel Mitchell, President of Acoplásticos.
According to Acoplásticos, the plastics industry currently generates 220,000 direct jobs in Colombia and 80,000 jobs in the recycling industry which has grown substantially in recent years. Acoplásticos’ Annual Survey on the Characterization and Growth of Plastics Recycling in Colombia for the period 2019-2021 shows a 19% growth in tons of recycled plastics in Colombia which represented an increase of 145% in sales in the country’s recycling market. The main post-consumer plastic waste processing companies participated in this survey.
GoPlastic Zone and 3D FEST
This year, ColombiaPlast offered two specialized areas. GoPlastic provided a space for companies to make solutions for the circular economy of plastics in the country more visible. The 3D Fest featured some of the main players in the 3D printing, additive manufacturing and new materials sectors.
Ana Garibello, ColombiaPlast Project Manager at Corferias, commented: “It was pleasant to meet again with the different actors, companies, professionals and other interested parties in this industry. We were the stage for more than 70 conferences, for knowledge to be exchanged and of course for our exhibitors to present their developments and business ideas that have been strengthened over the last four years.”
The next staging of ColombiaPlast will take place from September 30 – October 4, 2024 in Bogota. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at ColombiaPlast 2024, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; Telephone: (312) 781-5180; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit https://colombiaplast.org/en and www.mdna.com;
