Southeast Asia’s plastics industry ripe for consolidation

Messe Düsseldorf Asia and Informa Markets consolidate plastics and rubber trade exhibition business in Southeast Asia.

Plastics and Rubber Thailand 2023, co-located with INTERMACH and SUBCON Thailand 2023, drew over 42,000 delegates at BITEC.
Plastics and Rubber Thailand 2023, co-located with INTERMACH and SUBCON Thailand 2023, drew over 42,000 delegates at BITEC. Photo Credit: Informa Markets

Messe Düsseldorf Asia and Informa Markets have declared a partnership that will consolidate their plastics and rubber trade exhibitions in Southeast Asia. From 2024, they will jointly organise the Plastics and Rubber series of exhibitions, kicking off with Plastics and Rubber Thailand from 15 to 18 May 2024 at The Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

The organisations will streamline their respective plastics and rubber exhibitions in the region into three anchor events. Starting in 2024, the partners will jointly organise Plastics and Rubber Thailand, and Plastics and Rubber Indonesia, in addition to Plastics and Rubber Vietnam which has been an old collaboration since 2008.

Delivering sustainability and circularity goals

The combined capabilities and expertise of both partners will deliver an enhanced business experience for the industry to serve the Southeast Asian markets effectively. Gernot Ringling, managing director, Messe Düsseldorf Asia, said: "Our alliance with Informa Markets builds upon a long history of successful partnerships in the region. By consolidating the plastics and rubber trade exhibitions to now include Thailand and Indonesia starting in 2024, we are poised to enhance our customer experience both locally and internationally, delivering even greater value for business growth, especially against the backdrop of industry sustainability and circularity goals.

"This latest endeavour amplifies our regional presence and further streamlines both our efforts. Following in the successful footsteps of our joint partnership with Plastics and Rubber Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with Plastics and Rubber Thailand and Plastics and Rubber Indonesia, we are paving the way for the absolute best local and regional platforms for international businesses in the most dynamic markets in Southeast Asia within the ever-evolving plastics and rubber landscape.”

Good synergies

The partnership will capitalise on Informa Markets' deep regional insights and connections, complemented by Messe Düsseldorf Asia's extensive global expertise in plastics and rubber and multi-sectorial competence, including their connection with K, the world's leading plastics trade fair organised by Messe Düsseldorf.

Ian Roberts, Vice President, Informa Markets (Asia), said: “Our collaboration with Messe Düsseldorf is a continuation of our successful joint ventures, highlighting our shared commitment to deliver industry-leading experiences. By concentrating our efforts and consolidating the number of plastics and rubber events in the region, we aim to create an unparalleled experience for exhibitors and visitors, offering enhanced business opportunities and thus maximising the impact of each exhibition.”

Plastic scene

Thailand has emerged as a leading manufacturer and exporter of plastic and rubber products, serving key markets such as China, Japan, India, and the ASEAN region. Indonesia and Vietnam are also key players, contributing significantly to the regional and global supply chains.