This illustrates some issues as K-Show celebrates its 70th anniversary. “It is obvious to satisfy pent-up demand in real life”, the K-show held at Messe Düsseldorf is the first international capital expenditure trade show to truly return to pre-COVID levels.

"The 2022 K exhibition opened yesterday may be the most important event in the history of K exhibition."

As the K exhibition celebrates its 70th anniversary, this illustrates some problems. “It is obvious to satisfy pent-up needs in real life”, the K-show held at Messe Düsseldorf is the first International Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) trade show that truly returns to pre-COVID-19 levels.

At the same time, the 2022 K exhibition is also shrouded in sorrow. "Europe and Germany have been hit particularly hard," Reifenhäuser said. The surge in energy prices caused by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has had a strong impact on Germany.

As an enterprise, how should we survive? This is the problem.

Digitalization has become particularly important

"Why should we achieve digitalization in industrial production"

What value can digitalization in industrial production bring to us (Mehrwert)? Big data has actually deeply affected our daily lives. It knows what we want to buy, what supper we want to eat, and what movies we want to watch. Imagine that if we only need to put forward product requirements in industrial production, there is a system that can directly tell us what kind of materials can be used, what process parameters can be used for processing, how to design molds, and how to allocate production plans. will greatly improve production efficiency and reduce production costs.

In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to first realize industrial digitalization. Nowadays, plastics not only facilitate our daily lives, but are also fully used in the field of high-tech. However, limited petrochemical resources may make plastics a "luxury" in the near future.

At the same time, plastic is like a double-edged sword, and the garbage it produces also directly threatens the living environment of humans and animals and plants. All of these make the circular economy (Kreislaufwirtschaft) one of the most important and cutting-edge topics in the plastics industry. Digitalization is also an indispensable means in achieving an effective circular economy. Since digitalization is so important in the production of plastics, we are facing another problem immediately:

"How do we achieve digitalization in industrial production"

Obviously, the core content of digitalization is data. Then, in industrial production, how to effectively obtain the data generated by machines and equipment, in other words, how to effectively carry out the Internet of Things for machines and equipment is crucial.

Thanks to the OPC UA interface, machines and equipment produced by different manufacturers can be integrated into the same system. has about 40 manufacturers in K 2022 brought more than 60 different machines and devices, all equipped with this interface, which also makes it possible to interconnect machines and devices across platforms with manufacturers.

It is worth mentioning that all Arburg exhibitors will be connected to the network: a hybrid ALLRONDER 630H injection molding machine can communicate with molds, hot runner control systems, material drying equipment and automation originals through the GESTICA control unit.

ARBURG ALLRONDER 630H

In terms of peripheral devices, PIOVAN has brought their fully automatic drying system Genesys, which can automatically adjust control parameters according to the ambient temperature, initial moisture, and polymer type to achieve optimal pre-processing preparation of the polymer with minimal energy consumption.

Sauer & Sohn GmbH provides digital solutions for mold management and maintenance, so that the mold is always in the best condition to improve productivity.

A innovative drying solution with wide application Genesys

In terms of process simulation, software suppliers such as Moldex3D, SigmaSoft, CADmould and Moldflow will show visitors their latest products in K 2022.

2 Energy conservation has become a development trend

In the context of energy shortage, energy conservation is undoubtedly one of the most concerned topics in the plastic machinery industry in recent years. Some industry insiders believe that there are many types of energy saving, improving efficiency is energy saving, and changing the machine driving method is also energy saving, and it can even be said that the driving method is more fundamental energy saving.

Now all-electric injection molding machine has sold the European market. At the K 2022 exhibition, all-electric injection molding machine still occupies the C position of the injection molding machine exhibitor.

Let’s take a look at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag. Their biggest feature of this year’s K-Exhibition is “debuting with an all-motor lineup.” In particular, its latest PAC-E all-electric high-speed injection molding machine breaks the previous tradition of full motors being mainly used in small parts such as medical care, and sets a new benchmark for the industry in terms of energy consumption and cleanliness. At the K 2022 exhibition, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will first use a PAC-E model with a locking force of 350t to demonstrate the performance and sustainability of this new machine, and will then launch models with a locking force of 420t, 250t and 300t one after another.

Krausmafi also creates more energy-efficient injection molding machines from all angles and will showcase these solutions at the K 2022 exhibition (Hall 15 C15/C24-D24 booth).

3 Global international plastic and rubber industry event

60 exhibitors from 260 countries have come to K Exhibition. European countries performed particularly positively, especially Germany, Italy, Austria , Türkiye , Netherlands , Switzerland , and France and the United States.

Among them, 871 exhibitors participated in the German plastic and rubber industry, with a booth area of ​​66,940 square meters (about 38% of the exhibition area).

K exhibition also clearly reflects changes in the world market: the number of companies from Asia has maintained a constant high level for many years, especially mainland China, Taiwan, India, South Korea and Japan. Erhard Wienkamp, ​​Executive Director of

Exhibition: "The K-Expo in 2022 is the first K-Expo since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic in 2020. All the 179,000 square meters of net exhibition area were booked empty," Wienkamp added, "In Düsseldorf, the K-Expo is not only a weather vane for the global industry's innovation market, but also a sustainable economic engine. Especially in this difficult global economic climate after the new crown epidemic, the K-Expo will provide guidance."

K 2022 Exhibitor Advisory Committee Chairman Ulrich Reifenhäuser said: "Polymer materials are indispensable in almost all areas of our lives today, and it is omnipresent. In 2021, the global plastic production will be approximately 391 million tons (390, 7 m), while Germany alone will produce 21 million tons (21 m).

However, the entire plastic industry faces various challenges, such as supply chain issues and soaring energy prices. In particular, the plastic industry is undergoing a transformation to a circular economy, and there will be a very strong demand for face-to-face communication at the K-Expo in 2022."