Preliminary figures show fall in exhibitor numbers

Preliminary figures show fall in exhibitor numbers

The K2004 exhibition in October will occupy a greater floor space thanks to the construction of a new hall and an extension of Hall 13. Organisers Messe Dьsseldorf said K2004 will have a total of 161,186 sq metres of exhibition space, compared to 152,292 sq metres at K2001.

The show sold out in May last year with 2,538 exhibitors, compared to 2,886 at K2001. But this year’s figure will increase once the breakdown of national pavilions is known. The new hall is in the north of the Dьsseldorf Trade Fair Centre. The numbering sequence has changed so that the former Hall 7 will become Hall 7a, Hall 8 will be renamed Hall 7 and the new hall will be Hall 8.

Speaking at a pre-K2004 dinner, chairman of the exhibitor council Ulrich Reifenhauser noted the downturn experienced by plastics companies in Europe and elsewhere. “To put it mildly, 2003 was a very modest year.”

However, there is now some cautious optimism, and he pointed to processors in Germany becoming more positive. Innovation and development of new technology are being pursued. “The industry is not one to sit around and wait for better days.”