The Plastics Recycling Show Europe returns to Amsterdam from April 1-2, 2025. Here, Matt Barber, global events director at Crain Communications, tells Packaging Scotland about the event which goes from strength-to-strength.
Q) What can we expect from PRSE 2025?
A) The Plastics Recycling Show Europe is a two-day exhibition and conference that has become the place to be in Europe for the entire plastic value chain. Here you can get to know the latest advancements of recycling technologies, find inspiration from leading innovators and seek out partners with the expertise to make plastic circular.
The show brings together key players from the plastics and plastics recycling sectors to showcase innovative technology, share best practice, network and do business. A broad cross-section of the industry is represented at the event, including packaging designers and manufacturers, plastics recycling machinery and equipment suppliers, plastic material suppliers and compounders, pre-processors, mechanical and chemical plastics recyclers, waste management specialists and industry associations.
The energy, diversity and innovation of our exhibitor community plays a vital role in bringing together new ways to improve the circular use of plastics in every application from packaging and consumer goods to automotive components.
Last year PRS Europe attracted more than 11,000 visitors from across Europe and more than 80 different countries and we are confidently expecting even more to attend in 2025.
Q) What prompted the decision to move the show to larger halls and have it take place in April rather than June?
A) PRS Europe has grown rapidly over the years since it was first held in Amsterdam back in 2017. Last year we decided the time had come to take the event to the next level by taking the venue’s two largest and premier halls, Hall 1 and Hall 5.
The larger halls have enabled us to accommodate more exhibitors and allow them to build larger stands. It will also be a better visitor experience. It will be easier to navigate around the show and easier to locate the conference theatres, catering and break out areas. I think visitors will really notice a difference this year.
The move to April for 2025 has been driven by a number of factors including availability at the RAI, the events calendar for the global plastics industry and our own growing international portfolio of events taking place in the Middle East & Africa, India and Asia.
Q) Anything new for 2025?
A) In addition to the ever popular area dedicated to showcasing the finalists in the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe, this year we are planning a feature area dedicated to the growing role of AI in plastics recycling, particularly in the traditionally labour intensive area of identifying and sorting different plastics materials for recycling as well as ensuring the traceability of materials.
Q) What are the biggest challenges for you as an organiser?
A) It’s a nice problem to have, but accommodating the demand for exhibitor space has been one of our largest challenges as PRS Europe has grown rapidly over the years. Some of our exhibitors also bring some mighty big machines to showcase at the event and the logistics involved in bringing them in and out are considerable. Fortunately our experienced operations team ensure this runs smoothly, thanks to months of careful planning.
Q) What trends are we seeing in the plastics recycling sector currently?
A) The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) regulations and indeed global legislative trends are driving the circular and sustainable use of plastics that is so essential to our modern way of life. Much of the progress being made relies on deep collaboration from every part of the sector, which is why many innovations actually start with conversations at PRS Europe.
Q) What issues will be covered in the conference sessions?
A) This year’s conference will cover the latest trends in the plastics recycling sector, providing a holistic view of the whole plastic recycling value chain and drawing together political leaders, major brands, recyclers and the plastics recycling and manufacturing industry.
Prominent speakers from major brands already confirmed include Aldi’s global circular packaging manager Hannah Drew and Procter & Gamble’s technical director – R&D packaging sustainability Gian De Belder. While other speakers from across the plastics value chain are Berry Global’s director of circular economy Jeremy Blake, Indorama’s head of sustainability advocacy EMEA Ermis Panagitopoulos and Helen McGeough, global analyst team lead, Plastics Recycling at ICIS.
The programme includes core sessions on overcoming the challenges in EU plastic recycling, unlocking key legislative files for the sector such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and building synergies between mechanical and chemical recycling. Also covered in depth will be the market outlook as well as future challenges and trends in achieving recycled content goals.
Interactive panel discussions moderated by European plastics recycling subject matter experts will examine the global roadmap for plastics recycling, strategies to scale up collection and sorting, traceability in recycled content, and the latest innovations in recycling technologies. Dedicated materials focus sessions will tackle the state-of-play in the recycling of PET, polyolefin films, PVC, HDPE, PP, PS and ELV & WEEE.
Q) Have you been impressed by the calibre of entries to the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe?
A) Yes I am genuinely impressed with the quality and depth of entries we have received this year. We created the awards to help showcase the best in plastics recycling innovation in Europe and they have done that better than we could have hoped, with clear progress every year. The ways the award categories are split also ensures there is recognition for every part of the plastics recycling value chain, including of course the packaging award.
Q) Tell us about the PRS Europe Boat Party
A) We launched the PRS Europe Boat Party last year and were totally blown away by the positive feedback from everyone who attended. It’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone to network more informally. The boat leaves from central Amsterdam and tours the city, affording some great views. There’s a superb choice of food and drink and later in the evening you can hit the dance floor, making it is a great opportunity for everyone to relax and have some fun.
Q) What advice would you have for exhibitors to attract people to their stand?
A) It pays to invest in your marketing to fully leverage your presence at the show. Don’t just rely on all 11, 000 attendees rocking up at your stand. Also, make sure your team is fully briefed and all aspects of your exhibition logistics are fully prepared.
For every exhibitor we provide a range of marketing resources to help make the most of your presence. There is a new PRS Europe App which enables exhibitors to contact attendees and book meetings to take place at the show. You can also use the show’s online Exhibitor Hub to personally invite customers prospects to your stand. Plus there is a host of customised digital marketing materials that can be downloaded from the Exhibitor Hub.
We are also using the Gleanin community marketing platform which gives exhibitors and visitors ready-made customised social media assets that they can use to promote their presence at the show. Linked In is the most popular platform both at a corporate and individual level.
Register to visit PRS Europe at: https://www.prseventeurope.com/
