Extrusion International USA 2-2019

REVIEW 30 Extrusion International 2/2019 Interplastica 2019 – Russia’s Economy is Picking Up The Russian market seems to be finally moving out of the trough at least as regards the plastics, rubber and pack- aging sectors and related process in- dustries. Impressive proof of this has been provided by the two trade fairs interplastica, 22nd International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber, and upa- kovka – Processing and Packaging, which drew to a successful close after four trade fair days on 1 February 2019. To the tune of 25,000 visitors came to Moscow to seek information on the ex- tensive ranges displayed by 950 exhibi- tors from 32 countries. After a period of stagnation in 2016 and a -2.8 % recession in 2015, Russia saw a new growth phase start in 2017 with 1.5 % GNP growth. Four years af- ter the sanctionswere imposedand the oil price dropped the Russian economy has adapted to the new circumstances andmanaged to grow again. There is a great deal of renewed inter- est in modern machinery, production plants and high-tech materials. This also especially applies to demand for packaging technologies and plastic processing equipment. To the delight of the exhibiting companies, activities at interplastica und upakovka were therefore not only confined to an ex- change of information. Many trade visitors also came with concrete inten- tions to buy and took their purchasing decisions right on site. This underpins the substantial investment needs that continue toexist inRussia and its neigh- bouring states. The presence of numerous foreign ex- hibitors evidences the sustained strong interest taken in the Russian market. “Following some difficult years things are picking up again. Those showing stamina will now be rewarded,” re- flects Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, CEO and President of Messe Düssel- dorf, drawing a positive conclusion. Very satisfied with the results of the two trade fairs, he goes on to say: “The mood in the halls was excellent, ex- hibitors reported extremely interested business people who were also pre- pared to place orders. They capitalised on the unique opportunity here to see the latest developments in world mar- kets and negotiate with suppliers on site.” In 2017 (for want of more recent fig- ures) plastics and rubber machines worth EUR 457 million were exported to Russia from all over the world; this means 40.4%more than in 2016 (325.5 million). From January to September 2018 plas- tics and rubbermachinery exports from Germany totalled EUR 90.8 million – a 3.3% plus against the same period of the previous year. Commenting on this Thorsten Küh- mann, General Manager at the Fachverband Kunststoff- und Gum- mimaschinen (the Plastics and Rub- ber Machinery Association within the VDMA), said: “Following a marked rise in German deliveries to Russia in 2017, these levels were maintained and had even raised slightly by November 2018. As before there are clear impulses for the packaging sector as a direct upshot of the Russian food sanctions. As a re- sult, packaging must increasingly be produced in Russia to preserve region- al foodstuffs. Add to this the positive effect companies with local branches can feel as their stamina is increasingly rewarded. It is true that the Russian market has not been able to follow on from the successful years around 2013 yet but it offers compensation in vola- tile times.” Austria and China were represented with strong joint pavilions at interplas- tica 2019 while Germany promoted the quality seal “Made in Germany” with a large, official German partici- pation. Furthermore, Italy attended with its usual strong participation. 65 Italian exhibitors at individual stands and at the big country pavilion pro- vided a comprehensive overview. Fab- rizio Vanzan, Exhibition Manager at AMAPLAST, summed it up as follows: “interplastica 2019 proved very posi- tive for us and even exceeded our ex- pectations against the backdrop of the known, difficult economic situation. Our Italian exhibitors welcomed many existing customers but also new cus- tomers from Russia and its neighbour- ing countries to their stands.We expect very good follow-up business.” The ranges displayed by interplastica exhibitors were complemented by a programme of high-calibre technical events. At the Polymer Plaza expert lec- tures and panel discussions addressing such current issues as “Plastics and the Circular Economy – Recycling Trends and Rising Environmental Conscience”, “Innovative Trends in theModernPoly- mer Industry”, or “Biopolymers and Recycling” made for packed rows in the audience. The next interplastica in Moscow will be held from 28 to 31 January 2020, once again concurrently with upakov- ka. For further information: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.interplastica.de