The world's leading trade fair K 2025 is once again dedicating a separate start-up zone to innovative young companies: from 8 to 15 October in Düsseldorf, 20 exhibitors will be presenting digital and material-based approaches in Hall 7 - from AI-supported production to data platforms and bioplastics. A start-up pitch on the stage of the special show „Plastics shape the future“ on Monday, 13 October, will also set the tone.
The Start-up Zone is a special area tailored to the needs of young technology providers. The focus is on concrete answers to efficiency, resource conservation and the requirements of the circular economy along the plastics and rubber value chain. According to the trade fair, the area is fully booked; topics ranging from analytics and digital maintenance to new materials will be addressed.
Relevance for packaging: materials, data and recyclability
Several material developments stand out for packaging applications. Eranova describes bio-based, recyclable resins made from cultivated green algae for extrusion, injection moulding and thermoforming; production binds CO₂ and reduces the burden on agricultural land. Paques Biomaterials refers to PHAs from organic waste streams as a biodegradable alternative to PP, PE, PS or PET. Noriware is working on fully bio-based, chemically unmodified, fossil-free packaging materials with a view to regulatory requirements. Kuori is developing elastic, bio-based compounds from by-products such as olive pits or nutshells, designed for existing manufacturing processes. These approaches are aimed at minimising environmental impact and compatibility with industrial scaling.
Digital foundations for circulation and efficiency
With a view to design-for-recycling and data flows, R-Cycle (ProData) addresses the standardised exchange of relevant packaging data across company boundaries. Simreka enables virtual material and process experiments for faster, resource-saving development. For production and purchasing, Idoo (extrusion data), Maintastic (maintenance with AI/AR) and Toolplace (procurement and supply chain-related platform) name efficiency levers that packaging manufacturers can also utilise.
Pitch and programme
As a stage for visibility and cooperation, organisers are announcing the start-up pitch on 13 October in Hall 6 at the special show „Plastics shape the future“, organised by Plastics Europe Deutschland and Messe Düsseldorf.
Source: Düsseldorf Trade Fair Centre
