INTERPLASTICA reflects the lively Russian market for plastics and rubber

The Russian market for plastics and rubber continues on its bullish trend. Thanks to the sometimes explosive development, notably of such key user sectors as the construction industry, packaging industry and automotive industry – which has put down roots in several locations across the country – demand for plastic and rubber products is constantly climbing. Russian processors are investing heavily in the expansion of existing capacities and set-up of new plants, all of which promises an excellent climate for the sale of raw materials as well as plastics and rubber machinery. Experts predict that the boom is set to continue in the coming years.

INTERPLASTICA 2007, the International Trade Fair Plastics and Rubber, reflected on a grand scale the industry’s robust health and cemented the fair’s leading position in the country. Full order books and highly promising new business contacts added up to extremely satisfied exhibitors. Some 23,000 trade visitors from all corners of the Russian Federation and its neighbours streamed through the gates of the Moscow trade fair complex, ZAO Expocentr, in Krasnaya Presnya between 30 January and 2 February to explore innovations in the fields of machine building and the production and processing of raw materials. They also visited the concurrently staged UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA, the trade fair for packaging technology. Attendance was just short of the excellent figures achieved at the previous event in December 2005.

German manufacturers of plastic and rubber machinery in particular have benefited from the upturn in the Russian industry and become the primary suppliers to processors in the country. Exports of German plant and machinery dedicated to the plastics and rubber industry climbed by some ten percent to 198 million euros in 2006. That puts Russia in third place behind the USA and China on the top export market rankings. Thorsten Kьhmann, Managing Director of the Fachverband Kunststoff- und Gummimaschinen im VDMA (Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association within the VDMA) predicts that the bright prospects for machinery sales in Russia will carry on in years to come: “Aside from new investments, the tremendous need for replacements and upgrades within existing machinery is our assurance of an exciting future. Compared to previous years, orders for new equipment have increased substantially, while second-hand machinery hardly features at all any more. At the moment, the Russian machine building industry is still in its infancy and local products make little impact on the market. German technology is prized for its superior quality as the state of the art. German manufacturers, too, are much in demand as flexible service-minded partners.”

The German participation at INTERPLASTICA comprising 151 companies reached a record level, which was also evident in these exhibitors’ demand for floor space – up by an above-average 20 percent. The fair, however, was given an equally warm reception by international suppliers. Austria and Italy stepped out with substantial exhibitor contingents, China and Taiwan were represented by officially backed participations and Korea fielded a number of individual exhibitors. Joint presentations from Romania and Portugal made their debut at INTERPLASTICA with the respective seals of approval of the Romanian Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the Portuguese Association for the Mould Industry (CEFAMOL). The host, Russia, also made a strong showing with 122 local companies spread across roughly 3,000 square metres of net exhibition space – up 15 percent from the previous event. INTERPLASTICA was organised by Messe Dьsseldorf in cooperation with its subsidiary Messe Dьsseldorf Moscow.

Trade visitors to INTERPLASTICA were offered a unique opportunity to gain an overview of innovations from around the globe. In turn, the exhibiting companies attached great importance to the opportunity to analyse the market and competition as well as to forge valuable contacts in a promising economic region and win new clients. This is confirmed by Fabrizio Vanzan from the Italian Plastics and Rubber Processing Machinery and Moulds Manufacturers’ Association (Assocomaplast): “Russia is currently fourth on the list of key markets for the export-focused Italian suppliers of plastics and rubber machines. The participation in INTERPLASTICA of some 100 Italian exhibitors, occupying a net exhibition area of 1,800 square metres, is one of our country’s biggest worldwide and a clear tribute to the Russian market’s growing significance. Not only did the companies meet with a very positive response at the fair but they are also optimistic about the stream of orders continuing.”

With the sale of two extrusion lines, signing up for the fair had already more than paid off for Taiwanese exhibitor Shang Ta Chia Industrial Co. Ltd. half way through the event’s run. Michael Chen, head of sales commented, “This is already our third time exhibiting at INTERPLASTICA and we are very satisfied with the fair. We expect to be able to expand our business relationship with Russian processors significantly in the near future.”

For seven Romanian businesses, this year was their debut at the Moscow fair. Backed by the Romanian Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the joint presentation at INTERPLASTICA was chosen as a means for the Romanian companies to take their first steps on the Russian market and see how they fared against the competition. The results lived up fully to expectation. Costin Lianu, General Director for Export Promotion in the ministry, explained that “Participating in INTERPLASTICA fitted in perfectly with our long-term strategy to boost the export of Romanian products also to markets outside the EU. Russia is, along with China, of particular interest to us in this regard.” Elena Stepan, sales and marketing head of the association for the Romanian plastics processing industry (Munplast), added that “INTERLASTICA provides our member companies with a forum in which to establish new business ties, while at the same time getting up to speed on the latest in raw materials and machinery. We are highly impressed that not only experts from Russia but from many of its neighbouring countries approached our stand.”

Alexei Pavlenko from Arsenal of Industry conducted a host of serious discussions with customers. As head of sales and development at the Russian supplier of film producing machinery, Pavlenko believes that INTERPLASTICA opens a door for his company to make contact directly with potential users and cooperate with them on the development of solutions. Ultimately, this partnership should then lead to longstanding business relationships. Pavlenko sums it up thus: “Our chief aim at the fair is to sit down with customers in order to determine what a machine’s precise application will be and to work out the relevant requirements so that we can make a concrete offer.” Arsenal of Industry continues to register stable demand for machinery catering to the production of single-layer film and anticipates good post-fair business.