plastship at K 2025: Digital Solutions and AI Driving the Circular Plastics Economy

A recap of eight inspiring trade fair days in Düsseldorf | Hall 7, Stand 70SU-04

Waldems, October 2025 – Eight days full of exchange, innovation, and collaborative ideas: plastship looks back on a highly successful K 2025 in Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf. With 3,275 exhibitors from 66 countries and more than 175,000 trade visitors from around 160 nations, the K once again confirmed its status as the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry.
Under the motto “Green – Smart – Responsible”, this year’s focus was on the transformation towards a sustainable and digital circular economy – and plastship demonstrated how digital solutions and AI can effectively drive this change forward.

IN FOCUS: KISS – AI-Driven Flow Stream Optimisation in Practice

A key highlight at the plastship stand was the KISS-Projekt (“AI-based Qualification, Control and Optimisation of Material Flows”). The modular, data-driven platform attracted significant interest from processors, recyclers, and brand owners.
KISS enables companies to analyse material flows precisely, deploy recyclates efficiently, and map quality standards transparently – from optical and mechanical tests to chemical analyses.

Our discussions at K clearly demonstrated that AI-driven solutions are the key to scaling the use of recyclates in a cost-effective way,

said Andreas Bastian, CEO of plastship.

With KISS, we combine data, technology, and practical expertise to strengthen the circular plastics economy across Europe sustainably.

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR EFFICIENT CIRCULARITY

In addition to KISS, plastship presented a wide portfolio of digital and practical services addressing the entire value chain:

- Recyclate Sourcing & Partnerships:
Access to verified materials and network platforms for targeted use of recyclates.

- Material Qualification & Benchmarking: Comparable and transparent assessment of recyclates along the supply chain.

- Digital Flow Stream Optimisation:
Data-driven analyses and recommendations for more efficient plastics utilisation.

- Practical Collaboration:
Support for integrating recyclates into products and packaging, in close cooperation with partners such as RIGK.

STRONG EXCHANGE, NEW IMPULSES

Visitors can receive individual advice and experience first-hand how AI and digital tools support the plastics circular economy.

Over the eight days of the trade fair, numerous industry, trade, and research professionals took the opportunity to receive individual advice at the plastship stand in Hall 7. The combination of AI-driven analysis and practical application was particularly well received – a solution bridging the gap between data insights and real material use.

K 2025 has shown that the industry is ready to combine digitalisation and circular economy in a systematic way. The open exchange with companies, partners, and institutions was extremely valuable,

summarises Bastian.

TOGETHER INTO THE FUTURE

The plastship team looks back on a successful fair – with many new contacts, inspiring conversations, and concrete projects resulting from on-site dialogue.

Conclusion: K 2025 confirmed that data-driven innovation, quality assurance, and collaborative partnerships are essential to further develop the circular plastics economy in Europe.

K 2025

🗓 8–15 October 2025
📍 Hall 7, Stand 70SU-04

A big thank you to all visitors and partners – we look forward to transforming the impulses from the fair into sustainable projects and collaborations.

If you have questions or suggestions, please contact me!

Mirco Gattinger, Marketing & Social Media Manager
+49 172 1369 774 · gattinger@plastship.com