Interplas, the triennial event for the plastics industry, returns to the NEC Birmingham in September this year and is supported by a new event platform for attendees, along with an Interplas-branded news website. More than 400 exhibitors will take part in the three-day show, which this year is moving into a second hall for the first time in 15 years. With the conversation around plastics constantly evolving, and new innovations coming to the fore, there’s perhaps never been a more important time to attend. The Interplas marketing team recently answered Packaging Scotland’s questions about this year’s expanded show.
Q) Why should people visit Interplas this year?
A) Interplas is the meeting point for the plastics industry. The UK plastics industry is a manufacturing powerhouse of vital importance to the UK economy. Comprising some 6,200 companies, the industry supplies an extraordinarily wide range of sectors and is the country’s third largest manufacturing sector by employment. It is a global leader and a key UK economic strength.
Interplas 2021 is your direct route to access this important and growing market. Whether you are a new or returning exhibitor, ongoing investment in the show will see Interplas deliver an unmissable opportunity for your organisation in 2021.
Interplas is the only UK plastics show covering the full spectrum of plastics processing machinery, materials, software, services and ancillaries in one place.
Q) What’s the history of the event and how has it grown over the years?
A) Thanks to year-on-year growth since the show was taken over by Rapid News Group in 2011, the show has become the UK plastics industry’s flagship event, renowned for not only the quality of the exhibition, but also the vast business, networking and learning opportunities it offers.
Demand is such that Interplas 2021 has expanded into a full second hall for the first time in 15 years – showing the strength of this vibrant market and the appetite for trade shows in which viewing machinery and equipment, making personal connections and finding solutions to current issues are paramount. Endorsed by leading industry associations, trade bodies and media, Interplas is seen as a credible and trusted platform from which to launch new products, bring new ideas and form new ventures.
Q) What can you tell us about the speaker line-up and conference programme?
A) The conference programmes at Interplas have been carefully tailored to deliver insight, knowledge and information on the current challenges and opportunities facing the UK plastics industry from a range of expert speakers.
By attending, Interplas visitors get the opportunity to ask questions, engage in panel discussions and network with peers across each of the three different stages:
THE MAIN STAGE
Perfect for plastics processors looking for opportunities in key end markets, this stage will feature experts from the biggest names in automotive, packaging, medical and more discussing supply chain requirements, collaboration initiatives and essential insights.
Returning under the theme of ‘Advancing UK Plastics’, the programme on the Main Stage is an essential part of a visit for those wishing to understand more about the trends, influencing factors and upcoming changes that will affect the industry.
THE EXTRUSION STAGE
Brand new for 2021, the Extrusion Stage will offer Interplas visitors the only opportunity to attend a conference dedicated to extrusion machinery, materials and associated technologies in the UK. Visitors will not only be able to attend three days of presentations free-of-charge, but also have the added bonus of seeing working extrusion machinery and equipment on the show floor and meeting new suppliers.
Speakers will be covering efficient, economic and sustainable processing for film, sheet, pipe and profile processors using a variety of polymers and methods.
As a bonus addition to the programme, the Extrusion Stage will play host to a half-day session tailored to PVC converters, in collaboration with the organisers of the annual PVC conference.
THE SUSTAINABILITY STAGE
Where sustainability has always featured on the conference programme at Interplas, the urgent need to address key environmental challenges has led to a dedicated stage in 2021.
Over the three show days, speakers will offer fact-based insight specifically aimed at helping the UK plastics industry lead the way in sustainable manufacturing, recycling and resource use. Visitors will have access to presentations, panel discussions and Q&A forums where experts from renowned industry associations will give updates on the latest policy developments, legislation and funding available.
Q) After the events of the past 15 months, how much do you think people are looking forward to getting back out to trade events and meeting face-to-face again?
A) We’re all excited to finally meet up with colleagues, friends, customers and partners, within a safe environment at the NEC.
But it’s not just about events – the plastics industry itself is undergoing seismic change as different approaches, trends and challenges present themselves in the modern world.
Since the last Interplas event in 2017, such change means the UK’s plastics processors now need new technologies, solutions and ideas to ensure they meet the demands and needs of a changing marketplace – and they will come to Interplas to find them.
Q) What can you tell us about the launch of InterplasInsights.com?
A) Interplasinsights.com is an amalgamation of three popular standalone websites that will bring together the very best news and intelligence from British Plastics and Rubber, European Plastic Product Manufacturer and Women in Plastics providing the international plastics community with one source of insights and perspectives.
Q) Anything new in this year’s show?
A) Interplas is always evolving to keep up with the industry and in addition to the revitalised conference programme and its themes, the 2021 event will also showcase a new event platform that will enhance a visit to the show. The event platform is open to all delegates – visitors, exhibitors, press, and speakers.
Each user will have a diary within the platform where they can manage recommendations, meeting requests, conference sessions, and more, allowing for a streamlined experience at the show. Our goal is to encourage connecting ahead of the show to ensure a better quality of conversation.
The full conference programme, speaker line-up and exhibitor directory are now available to view exclusively within the event platform to those who have registered for the event.
• Interplas will take place at the NEC Birmingham from September 28-30 2021. Visit www.interplasuk.com for more information.
