Plast 2015, Italy’s triennial plastics and rubber trade show, gets underway in Milan today with organisers expecting an increase in visitors over the course of the five-day show.
The European event, which is supported by EUROMAP (European Association for Plastics and Rubber Machinery Manufacturers) will showcase solutions for injection, extrusion, thermoforming, welding and blow-moulding processes with associated auxiliary equipment, moulds and components, as well as an array of innovative materials, semi-finished materials and finished products.
The fair is taking place alongside a six-month global exhibition, Expo 2015, in the city dedicated to securing safe and sufficient food across the globe, something that Plast 2015 is incorporating into its themes and also hopes will attract additional visitors to the event.
The trade show is focusing its conference programmes on the use of plastics in agriculture for the protection of crop growth as well as for hygienic and secure food packaging applications.
Plast 2015 will feature some of the world’s well-known manufacturers of extrusion lines for agricultural films, including, among others, Bandera (Hall 15, stands A101 and B102) Macchi (Hall 15, stands B81 and C82) and Amut Dolci Bielloni (Hall 15, stand D65), as well as many of the major packaging machinery manufacturers.
In keeping with other international plastic events, Plast is also featuring a ‘satellite fair’ dedicated to 3D printing, alongside a conference looking at ‘Virtual Models and 3D printing for Advanced Materials.’
Additionally, a separate ‘exhibition within the exhibition’ is also open to visitors dedicated to rubber. More than 100 Italian and foreign exhibitors are taking part, occupying a large area of Hall 11. The entire rubber industry is represented, from machinery manufacturers to producers and processors of finished products, semi-finished products, blends, elastomers, natural and synthetic rubber and auxiliaries.
Finally, Plast 2015 will also debuts a themed section called ‘Start Plast’, dedicated to research, development, training, and the provision of support and financing to companies in Italy and abroad. The section will see the participation of several universities, training centres, sector associations and investment funds for the creation of startups in this sector.