An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Thomas Franken the Director of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, K 2025: Thomas Franken on India, Innovation, and the Future of Plastic

1. What are the trends going on at K 2025 and as the organizer how do you see that?

Everyone’s really looking forward to it not only the industry itself but also Messe Düsseldorf and our team. We are really looking forward to K 2025, because it causes a lot of preparation to prepare for a big show like this every few years. Now, we are very excited to see everyone back in Dusseldorf. So, talking about innovation, I can tell you that for K 2025 we do have a slogan. The slogan is “The Power of Plastic Green-Smart- Responsibility”. These are 3 topics. Green is for a circular economy. Smart means digitalization, which is also an important topic for the industry, and responsibility is for taking care of people, because the industry is very self-confident and also takes care of society. Especially because we all know the events of plastic are a little difficult at the moment. Industry is really working on solutions and also working for society.

2. Circularity is gaining global attention. Could you briefly share the key trends you’re seeing, especially around innovations in converting traditional polymers into sustainable ones?

I think the circular economy topic is not new. I think the first time heard, and it was also a topic of K 2016. Already in 2019, it is getting more important, but last edition K 2022 it was one of the main topics, and it is still the main topic in industry, because industry is in transformation towards circular economy, because trying to close the loop for plastic and to bring plastic back into a cycle, because industry already understood, and I think everyone understand that plastic waste is not waste anymore it is very resourceful industry  so that at least we can expect to see a lot of innovation talking about secondary raw material  being used in products. It plays an important role for raw material producers and also for machinery people because you have to understand how and see how recyclate is working on machines as well and find out what kind of applications you can use this kind of material in the future. This is lot thing I’m expecting to see a lot of new innovation in this regard, especially seeing more applications where secondary raw materials are being used in the future.

3. We saw many manufacturers talking about how can be machines used for circular economy material or recyclate or person claim you can use up to 100%, so how do you see this as an industry?

We are not really industry experts. Firstly, we are just trade fair organizers. I’m not into the details as much, but we really learn from the industry because this is also the second topic of the show, Digitalization, because circular economy is not possible without digitalization, because we are collecting a lot of data with the help of artificial intelligence now. We can really use this data to have a better outcome to have sustainable production throughout the evaluation. This makes machines more efficient and also lower cost.

4. You have startup zone this was there previous year also but this year you are not focusing on could you elaborate on it?

We started with our startup zone with our own K Start-up zone last edition 2022 for the first time. We all understood the parts that start-ups cannot apply for the K show 1 and a half years in advance. For that reason, you have kept some space reserved for startups and made it possible for startups to even apply half a year before the show starts. Even now, it’s possible for start-ups to apply for the next edition because we have space reserved for start-ups with a fixed package for them, so it is very cost-efficient as well, and for the next edition in 2025. We also increased the space because of our experience from the last edition. When we tried it for the first time, when we had to bring the startup zone, we ran out of space like after a few weeks, we couldn’t even serve all the startup applicants to offer participation. This time, luckily, we could increase the space, and we also did something else. We do have science compasses, one of our main specialties, for many years already. Science compasses are a part of where we have university. Researchers taking part in the K show which is the future of plastic now we decided for the 2025 edition. We merge both so the startup zone will be next to the science compasses in the 2025 edition, so now one kind of innovation is up for the show, where we can see every young and innovative companies and universities and researchers all together in one place so if you want to keep an eye on the future of plastic and rubber just go there just recommendation from my side.

5. There are so many conferences happening during the show. Do you have some specialization which you want to tell the people about?

Yes, we have a lot of programs during the show. So, next to all the exhibitor stands we are preparing some specials, like we do have the circular economy forum again outside the VDMA. This time there will also be the power of plastics forum in the outdoor area again with 10 of the VDMA member companies and in the VDMA pavilion there will be also a small stage with some program throughout all the eight exhibition days. But talking about the big stage of K 2025, we always have our special show in hall number six. This we are doing together with Plastics Europe and Messe Düsseldorf and this is the main stage for the show and the title of the show will be “Plastics shape the Future” and here on all the eight days we have dedicated topics. So, we put a focus on each day. So, on Thursday, for example, it will be all about the circular economy, but even on Sunday we decided to put a focus on the young talents for the career starters of the industry. So, this is also part of our program but very new for the next edition.

This is our premiere.  We do have a new networking event which will also happen in our special show in hall number six and this kind of format or the new networking event the name is “Women in Plastics”. It’s a special networking event just for career leaders and the female leaders in the industry and the aim of this networking event is to get some opportunities to network with each other and also to learn from each other and get some more experience from some of the female leaders of the industry already how they got to their position and what were their experience with the industry.

6. What is at K this time because previous last show it was with the Local traveling will it be same or is there any change?

It will be the same as the last edition. So, you’re totally right. So, for the last edition we had some changes because it was a post-pandemic edition for the first time. And during the pandemic, everything changed in Germany, not even Germany, maybe somewhere everywhere in the world, and still in the pandemic Messe Düsseldorf. We still offer free transportation for all the visiting tickets for the visitors. But we have changed it already in 2022 that we take public transportation for the tickets, so that the price is still the same and, also, there are a lot of new opportunities or possibilities to get your ticket nowadays, because even the Rhein Bahn in Düsseldorf, which is the public transportation system They have changed to mobile solutions as well And for that reason it’s not included anymore in all the tickets Now you if you prepare your trip, I would highly recommend if you stay in Düsseldorf Just maybe download the app or maybe even easier You can use also these weekly tickets because then you can use the train as often as you like To get to the fairground you can take a bus you can take the train the metro whatever you like So you’re totally free So if you’re staying outside of Düsseldorf Even then you have to see what kind of transportation you’re using so then you can also get your ticket But nowadays, it’s very easy. You just need your mobile phone, and then you get your ticket online and hop on the train. So, it’s not that you have to start with the ticket machine anymore.

7. What message you want to give it to the Indian exhibitors and visitors? You know when they are traveling

I think take the time to, when you participate in trade fairs, take the time to also learn a little bit about the city and the culture, because it’s very important to do business in a foreign land. You know, plan, as I said, planning is very crucial in going for a trip. Be it a trade fair, be it a personal thing. Plan well in advance and make sure you do a little bit of climate check. You know, whatever you need to carry, everything starts with planning, I would say, and making sure you’re prepared, and you’re not hit by a certain thing that you’re not prepared for. You know, that’s what I would say. Indians are well-read and well-informed. Just make sure you do a little bit of research on the place you’re going to utilize the time to also enjoy the art here in Düsseldorf, which is known for and, of course, wear comfortable shoes for both exhibitors and visitors. I would say.

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An Exclusive Interview with Ms. Millie Arthur Contractor the General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf India Pvt. Ltd. (MD India), a subsidiary of the Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, Innovation Meets Preparation : Millie Contractor

1. How do you see as Dusseldorf India taking nearly 200 exhibitors to Germany some of them carrying machines what all preparation are going and what would you suggest?

K is undoubtedly a very influential and comprehensive platform for the entire value chain of the global plastic and rubber industry in India. For our team, it is one of the benchmarks in the industry. For Indian exhibitors, I think they have been looking forward to this for the last 3 years and the first thing would be to advise people when they go to K is to be prepared to do their homework well do know where to go. Please take the time to also visit other stands that are in the trade fairs and learn about the innovation that is taking place. Don’t just sit within your booth, but also visit the surrounding companies. Our visitors wear comfortable shoes. First of all, there is a lot of walking to do. Please do your homework and study where you want go because there is a lot to cover within 8 days. I think the latest innovation and trends are available at K utilize it well, plan well to make the most of the trip at K.

2. Trends what I see from the India, visitor’s plan their travel in short time, what you want to suggest visitor on visa part, normally it is struggle for many people? 

Going to a trade fair now is all about planning. You need to plan well in advance, especially shows like K where there are lots of Indians going. You need to plan way ahead in advance. That means, when you plan for your stand, start planning how you are going to travel, where you are going to stay and plan all that in advance. Luckily, the situation in India is not that difficult now with regard to visas. Things are better now than they were in 2020 and 2021. Still, all I would say when planning for your stand please plan how you are going to travel, when you are going to travel, where you are going to stay and how you are going to get there. So, it’s all about planning. Do take time to attend these formalities as well, because while taking care of your stand you also have to make sure you are there to take care of your stand physically as well.      

3. The travelers who are going are not familiar with it, and they have so many questions do we get vegetarian food, vegan food, Jain food. So how do you see that? 

So, well, this is a question that’s frequently asked whenever its K the question about food arises. We cater. I think K has a maximum number of people from Gujarat coming. It’s a very special community. It’s a vegan vegetarian community. Messe Dusseldorf ensures that everybody’s tastes are taken into account. At the trade fair we have an Indian restaurant. Many travel partners and tour operators who are at the fair take special cooks with them for the Indians who are especially vegetarian. Dusseldorf is also a very, I would say, a very modern city because you do have a lot of Indian restaurants near Harbhanhof. Some are vegetarian, of course, some are a mix. So I think you can find food everywhere, but you should know the important points, so the venue will definitely have a vegetarian restaurant. We will have something with the tour operators. Everybody is coming with their cooks and the food from India to make sure it’s all very vegetarian in basis. Harbhanhof is a great place to find Indian restaurants. Please make the time to go there and find your local cuisine.

4. What message? You want to give like, you know, when people visit as a local. What kind of suggestions or a message do you want to give to the exhibitors and visitors? 

I would say to everyone in the industry and, especially in India, you have to come to the K show because you cannot miss K because K is only every three years, and it’s a global hub for plastics and rubber every three years I mean we’re meeting in Dusseldorf, and it’s the most international plastics and rubber trade show worldwide So if you really want to see what’s in the future and if you want to be part of the future of plastics rubber You have to be part of it, and you have to come to Dusseldorf because at Dusseldorf You can really see that all our exhibitors. They have real world premieres at their doors. So if there’s something new every three years, they’re working towards it. They will present it at k, and they will present it to the world audience there, and if you want to see it firsthand, you have to be part of the show and that’s why I highly recommend everyone to join us in Düsseldorf in October this year.

Ms. Millie Contractor is the General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf India Pvt. Ltd. (MD India), a subsidiary of the world-famous Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. With her at the helm, MD India has grown considerably in terms of its presence and reach in the Indian trade fair and exhibition market. Focusing firmly on facilitating Indian industries’ access to international markets, she has been instrumental in staging world-class trade fairs in various sectors like plastics, rubber, packaging, healthcare, and more. Through events such as K 2022, MD India has facilitated critical platforms for innovation, business networking, and global interaction.

Ms. Millie Contractor’s vision for strategy focuses on building alliances with industry associations and being a supporter of India’s increasing focus on sustainability, circular economy, and manufacturing excellence. Her work makes MD India not only an organizer of trade fairs but a vehicle to effect industry change. Under her guidance, the company has emerged as an indispensable facilitator of knowledge exchange, driver of new technology, and source of meaningful business opportunities for Indian and international parties alike.

A firm believer in India’s growth through manufacturing, Millie Contractor is passionately devoted to promoting initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, and Startup India. Her work has assisted global corporations in establishing themselves in India via Messe Düsseldorf events, as well as assisted Indian companies in increasing international outreach.

Ms. Millie Contractor remains a leading voice in the exhibitions sector, advocating the contribution of trade fairs to sustainable economic development, industry modernization, and global cooperation. Her impact is not limited to event management she is shaping the strategic worth of exhibitions as innovation and business development ecosystems in India and internationally.

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