Guided Tours Bring Focus and Insights to Visitors at K 2025

When the international plastics and rubber community gathers in Düsseldorf for K 2025, visitors will not only find the world’s leading trade fair for the sector, but also a new way of navigating its scale and complexity. Alongside the 3,000+ exhibitors from more than 60 countries, the organisers are once again offering thematically focused guided tours on selected days of the show. These tours are carefully designed to combine expert commentary with curated booth visits, helping participants gain a structured overview of the latest developments in their chosen field of interest.

The tours will be offered in German and English, and participation is free of charge, making them accessible to both local and international attendees. Registration can be completed through the official K 2025 website, where detailed schedules and routes are listed. The trade fair itself will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets to K 2025 are priced at €60 for a day pass and €125 for a three-day ticket, with reduced rates of €20 per day available for pupils and students.

Materials and Design: Innovation at the Intersection of Creativity and Technology

One of the most popular guided formats will be the Materials & Design Tour, led by internationally recognised designer and materials specialist Chris Lefteri. Lefteri has long been regarded as a bridge-builder between creative design and industrial application, and his tours at previous editions of K have attracted strong interest from product developers, brand owners, and design professionals.

This route takes participants directly to exhibitors pushing boundaries in innovative material solutions, sustainable design concepts, and cutting-edge industrial technologies. At each stop, Lefteri highlights not only the functionality of the products, but also their sensory and emotional qualities—factors increasingly valued in consumer-driven markets. With sustainability becoming central to product innovation, the tour emphasises how plastics can be developed and designed to balance performance, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility.

For many attendees, this curated tour serves as an eye-opener, showing how material choices can influence everything from brand storytelling to circular product lifecycles. Lefteri’s commentary offers a global perspective on where design is headed and how plastics can remain relevant in an era that demands creativity without compromising ecological goals.

Digitalisation, Smart Processes, and Recycling: The Future of Intelligent Manufacturing

Another major theme of the guided tours addresses the digital transformation of the plastics industry. Here, participants are introduced to exhibitors showcasing intelligent production processes, automation technologies, and the integration of artificial intelligence into manufacturing workflows. With efficiency, resource conservation, and sustainability as primary drivers, these tours focus on how digital tools are reshaping production environments.

A central stop on this tour is the VDMA Power of Plastics Forum, which will take place outdoors and feature six thematic pavilions. Here, machinery and equipment manufacturers will conduct live demonstrations, turning theory into practice by showing how plastic waste can be converted into high-quality re-granulate and then processed into circular-ready products. These hands-on displays not only highlight the feasibility of recycling at scale but also underline the economic potential of circular economy models.

Participants will also encounter exhibitors applying data-driven transparency, process optimisation, and closed-loop recycling systems. For decision-makers and engineers alike, this tour represents a concentrated snapshot of how digitalisation and sustainability are converging in practice.

Young Talents: Guiding the Next Generation

The Young Talents Tour is specifically designed for students, apprentices, and young professionals who are considering a career in plastics and rubber. What makes this format unique is that it is led by young professionals from within the sector, offering a peer-to-peer exchange that feels approachable and authentic.

During the tour, participants are introduced to vocational pathways, study opportunities, and career prospects that exist within the industry. Stops at selected exhibitors illustrate how diverse the field has become—ranging from material science and mechanical engineering to digitalisation, recycling technologies, and design. The programme also includes visits to the VDMA Power of Plastics Forum, where practical demonstrations help contextualise future job roles.

For the next generation of professionals, this tour is more than just orientation; it is an invitation to become part of an industry in transformation. With companies worldwide investing heavily in sustainable and digital innovation, demand for new talent is rising sharply. The Young Talents format addresses this need directly, making it a valuable bridge between education and industry.

Why Guided Tours Matter at K 2025

With its immense size and global scope, K 2025 can be overwhelming even for experienced visitors. The guided tours offer an efficient way to focus on what matters most, whether that is sustainability-driven design, digital production technologies, or career opportunities. By combining expert guidance with first-hand exhibitor visits, participants save time, gain deeper insights, and leave with a clearer understanding of where the industry is heading.

Moreover, the tours reflect the broader ethos of K 2025, which is built around the theme “The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible.” They emphasise plastics not simply as a material, but as a medium for innovation, circularity, and global solutions to resource challenges.

For designers, engineers, and young professionals alike, the guided tours are more than just an add-on to the fair—they are a curated learning experience within the world’s most important plastics event.

https://www.k-online.com/

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Hon’ble Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates Oben Electric’s 75th Showroom In Nagpur

Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated Oben Electric’s 75th showroom in Nagpur, marking a major milestone for India’s homegrown and R&D-driven electric motorcycle manufacturer. Located in Hanuman Nagar, the new showroom is complemented by a dedicated Oben Care service center, providing customers with convenient access to reliable maintenance and expert after-sales support. This addition further strengthens Oben Electric’s presence in Maharashtra, where demand for the Oben Rorr EZ Sigma continues to grow rapidly.

With this launch, Oben Electric now operates 7 showrooms across Maharashtra. The company has already expanded to 75 showrooms and service centers across India and remains on track to scale its network to 150+ showrooms and service centres by the end of this financial year. It also maintains a strong presence in key Indian cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi, Jaipur, Amritsar, Hyderabad, and Lucknow, driven by rising customer demand and accelerating EV adoption nationwide.

Commenting on the launch, Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric, said, “We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from riders, which continues to drive our efforts to expand Oben Electric’s nationwide presence. The launch of our 75th showroom in Nagpur reinforces our commitment to making premium commuter electric motorcycles more accessible. Backed by a customer-first approach and robust in-house R&D, we remain focused on delivering not just innovative products but a complete EV ecosystem that enhances ownership.”

The Oben Rorr EZ Sigma, available in 3.4 kWh and 4.4 kWh variants, delivers a range of up to 175 km IDC, features three ride modes (Eco, City, Havoc), and achieves a top speed of 95 km/h. Powered by Oben’s patented LFP battery technology, it offers 50% higher heat resistance and twice the lifecycle durability, ensuring reliable performance across India’s diverse climates. With price starting at 1.16 Lakh Rorr EZ Sigma available in 3.4kWh & 4.4kWh variants, brings a premium, smart-riding experience within reach of everyday commuters. It also features a convenient Reverse Mode, a 5-inch colour TFT display with navigation, call & text alerts, and app connectivity through the Oben Electric App for live tracking, smart notifications, and remote lock access, delivering a seamless, connected ride. Rorr EZ Sigma is also available on Flipkart and Amazon.

In line with its customer-centric philosophy, Oben Electric offers 24/7 Customer Support and fast service resolution, maintaining a 90% issue-resolution rate within 72 hours. Each showroom houses an Oben Care service center staffed with platinum-certified technicians, ensuring expert maintenance for all in-house developed components including batteries, motors, and vehicle control units.

www.obenelectric.com

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Acquisition in Serbia: ALPLA strengthens its role as a system provider in South-East Europe

Plastic packaging specialist takes over Energoplast’s closure production

The internationally active ALPLA Group continues to grow in the compression and injection moulding segment and is taking over the production facility of Serbian closure manufacturer Energoplast. As a system provider, ALPLA supplies high-quality plastic packaging from a single source. With the closure production of Energoplast, ALPLA is expanding its footprint and product range in South-East Europe, ensuring even greater flexibility and quality.

ALPLA is taking over the closure production of leading Serbian manufacturer Energoplast in Belgrade. With this acquisition, ALPLA is strengthening its role as a system provider in the beverage packaging sector in South-East Europe and the Balkan region. The takeover of personnel, production lines and existing business ensures a seamless continuation of activities. At the same time, ALPLA is meeting the growing demand in the region and expanding its range of products.

‘Energoplast’s high-quality portfolio is the perfect addition to our business in the Serbian market and will be further enhanced by our technological expertise in the future. This will enable us to secure supplies for our customers and provide them with immediate added value and strategic advantages in the long term,’ says Miroslav Micković, General Manager of ALPLA Serbia.

A stable partner for the beverage industry
Energoplast’s 2,000 square metre factory is located in the north of Belgrade. Using compression moulding and injection moulding machines, the manufacturer produces PE closures for the beverage industry in Serbia and neighbouring countries.

With now four plants in Serbia (two of which are in-house at the customer’s filling plant), two in Croatia (one of which is in-house) and one in Slovenia, ALPLA is one of the largest plastic packaging manufacturers in South-East Europe. In addition to bottles, closures and containers for food, home care and cosmetic products, as well as oils and lubricants, the company primarily manufactures PET preforms for the beverage industry.

‘With this strategic move, ALPLA is strengthening its presence in South-East Europe, promoting regional value creation and enabling it to meet growing demand in a targeted manner. This means that both local and international customers benefit equally from high-quality closure solutions and short delivery routes,’ says Rainer Widmar, ALPLA Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe.

The expansion of ALPLA’s compression moulding and injection moulding activities sends a clear signal to the market. ‘We want to fully leverage our strengths as a system provider and score points with innovative solutions. This enables us to provide first-class, reliable service from design to complete packaging,’ explains Michael Feltes, Managing Director of the injection moulding division ALPLAinject.

The transaction was completed on 1 November 2025 following legal and regulatory approval. The parties have agreed not to disclose the details of the transaction.

www.alpla.com

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Borouge Launches First Made-In-UAE Healthcare Low-Density Polyethylene Solution

• Innovative solution will strengthen medical supply chains across the Middle East, Asia and Africa
•  Production of low-density polyethylene will enable local manufacturing of IV bottles, ampoules, and other pharmaceutical packaging, supporting the Make it in the Emirates initiative
• Part of Borouge’s ambition to deliver value-added solutions through local innovation

Borouge Plc announced today at ADIPEC the launch of the first Made-in-UAE low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for healthcare applications. This achievement follows Borouge’s successful debut of its first-ever locally produced healthcare polypropylene product earlier this year. Manufactured at Borouge’s Ruwais facility, Bormed LE6607-PH marks a significant milestone in strengthening regional medical supply chains and enabling localised production of critical sterile pharmaceutical packaging.

The milestone underscores Borouge’s commitment to advancing industrial selfsufficiency, supporting the Make it in the Emirates initiative, the national program to drive industrial growth and economic diversification. It will strengthen the UAE’s healthcare supply chain resilience as Borouge expands its impact in value-added sectors across the Middle East and Asia.

Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer, Borouge, said: “This launch
positions Borouge at the forefront of healthcare-grade production in the UAE,
strengthening our leadership across the region. By streamlining access to high-quality
medical materials, we are proactively advancing our healthcare portfolio with locally
manufactured polymers that meet international standards. This strategic move not only
supports diverse applications such as pharmaceutical manufacturing and patient care
but also reinforces our commitment to innovation and regional growth.”

Leveraging Borealis’ established Bormed technology and long-standing
commitment to the healthcare sector, Bormed LE6607-PH is an additive-free LDPE
engineered for use in pharmaceutical and medical packaging, including blow-fill-seal
bottles, ampoules, and other pharmaceutical packaging. The grade is optimised for
purity, compliance, and stability, minimising the level of extractables, leachables in final
products and ensuring compatibility with aseptic processing standards. It meets the
stringent specifications of both the EU and US Pharmacopoeia.

By manufacturing this grade in the UAE, Borouge supports not just supply chain agility
and proximity to key markets, but also consistent quality standards and reliable supply
continuity. These advantages help healthcare manufacturers and providers better
manage risk, shorten lead times, and ensure patient safety.

The launch builds on the successful introduction of Bormed RG868MO, Borouge’s
first UAE-made healthcare product, earlier this year, and now extends the company’s
healthcare portfolio even further. Together, these offerings reinforce Borouge’s role as
a strategic enabler of medical innovation and national industrial capacity.

With this locally produced polymer, Borouge contributes to safer, more resilient patient
care, supports industrial diversification, and strengthens the UAE’s position as a hub
for high-quality medical manufacturing.

www.borouge.com

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