After the economic crisis of 2008 to 2009 a rather fluctuating recovery followed. But the economic situation of this end of 2011 is becoming once again very uncertain due to the debt crisis of several countries. This uncertainty froze some long-term and strategic investments into latest production capacities and lead to a tight management of stocks. Thus, raw material cost became quite volatile. In the meantime there is still in the background a growing competition from emerging countries lead by China. The European plastics processors are no exception in facing these global factors. But it is quite impressive to see how the plastics industry keeps on innovating to maintain its key position in the European economy (it employs 1.6 millions of people in the European Union). The 21st edition of the Fakuma Trade Fair held in Friedrichshafen, Germany, on October 18 to 22nd 2011 confirmed this trend towards even more innovations.
This European Trade Fair dedicated to the Plastics Processing Industry was a real success, making this event more international than before with its 30% non-German visitors. In 2010 the Fakuma fair registered 23% of non-German visitors. This year was also an exception in the sense that it was also the 30th year of the existence of Fakuma. But to be further convinced of the success of this event let’s see the facts. The Fakuma 2011 Fair announced 1670 exhibitors and almost 45,000 visitors several days after its closure. Even if the famous K Show remains by far the largest trade fair in the world for plastics and rubbers it is interesting to compare the K Show and Fakuma. With a little bit less than 3,200 exhibitors and its 222,000 visitors the K 2010 event remains unbeaten, indeed.