Russia: good long-term prospects inspire confidence in plastics and rubber market.After years of impressive growth rates, the Russian plastics and rubber processing industry is suffering the consequences of the global financial and economic crisis. Despite this, however, the long-term prospects are considered favourable: the need for modernisation in the country itself and in neighbouring states is still tremendous, interest in innovative technologies continues unchecked. In these times of more expensive imports, many user industries are making tremendous efforts to improve their own competitive positions and to gain advantages by introducing modern machinery. Suppliers of plastic and packaging machinery are aided in this by the fact that, from 1st July 2009, Russia will no longer be levying import sales tax on a range of machinery and equipment. This will enable foreign manufacturers to gain a clear price advantage in areas where there is no production of corresponding products in Russia. This also applies to injection moulding, vacuum forming and shrink-wrap machines.
The exhibitors at the Interplastica Moscow, the International Trade Fair for Plastics & Rubber and the region’s leading industry platform, are also looking on the positive side. Despite the difficult economic conditions, the trade fair will, from 26th to 29th January 2010, provide a representative overview of machinery and equipment for the plastics and rubber industry, as well as processing and recycling machinery, tools and peripheral equipment, measuring, controlling, regulating and verification technology, raw and auxiliary materials, plastics and rubber products, logistics, warehouse technology, and services. Messe Düsseldorf and its subsidiary OOO Messe Düsseldorf Moscow, the event organiser, estimate that around 500 exhibitors will be participating, occupying a total net area of around 10,000 square metres.
Exhibitors from 30 nations have registered to date. The lion’s share of the participants will, once again, come from Russia, Germany and Italy. Austria, France, Portugal, China and Taiwan are also strongly represented.
The Upakovka/Upak Italia 2010 is once again scheduled to take place on the same dates as the Interplastica. The international trade fair for packaging machines, confectionery machines, packaging, packaging technology and logistics will be held at Moscow’s Krasnaya Presnya exhibition centre complex, right next to the Interplastica. This will enable exhibitors and visitors to take advantage of interesting synergy effects.
The last Interplastica and parallel Upakovka/Upak Italia 2009 event attracted 20,500 trade visitors. Those attending the Interplastica came primarily from the plastics processing and chemical industries, as well as from mechanical engineering and user industries. Despite the difficult economic situation, the exhibitors appeared satisfied with the trade fair, and the positive resonance and large number of interesting contacts and serious discussions exceeded their expectations.
