{"id":3636,"date":"2026-10-14T16:03:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T14:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/?post_type=specials&#038;p=3636"},"modified":"2026-10-14T16:21:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T14:21:16","slug":"round-table-discussion-building-on-strengths-how-can-the-european-plastics-industry-enhance-its-resilience","status":"publish","type":"specials","link":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/specials\/round-table-discussion-building-on-strengths-how-can-the-european-plastics-industry-enhance-its-resilience\/","title":{"rendered":"Round table discussion &#8220;Building on Strengths \u2013 How Can the European Plastics Industry Enhance Its Resilience?&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;985861&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;585116&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;720&#8243;][vc_custom_heading uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;101764&#8243;]Round Table at Fakuma 2026: Strong Impetus for Sustainability[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;147319&#8243;]<strong><em>Common sense, insight, creativity, innovation and even more involvement \u2013 this was the formula for a successful economic future recommended by the team of experts who took part in the \u201cFakuma Round Table\u201d discussion on the afternoon of the second day of the trade fair, 13 October 2026.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cBuilding on Strengths\u201d was the theme of the panel discussion chaired by Markus L\u00fcling, managing director of Kunststoff-Profi Verlag and editor-in-chief of trade magazines K-PROFI and K-AKTUELL. The goal was to discuss economic circumstances, environmental necessities and social challenges, and to show plastics-processing companies the way to a successful economic future.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;154091&#8243;]Making Good Use of Platforms and Tools![\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;157617&#8243;]The expert panel concluded that the strengths of the European plastics industry are plainly apparent and quite impressive: The aspects of diversity, technology, recycling and end-to-end process chains are all, in fact, already very well established. The expert panel including Eva S\u00f6hnlein, managing director of the Geiger Group; Dr. Johannes Kilian, vice president of Process and Application Technology at Engel Austria; G\u00fcnther Klammer, CTO at Next Generation Holding; and Michael Weigelt, managing director of TecPart \u2013 the Association for Technical Plastics Products \u2013 highlighted further areas for action: Eva S\u00f6hnlein emphasised that it\u2019s essential for companies to showcase and clearly communicate their own strengths, for example through effective platforms such as trade fairs. Dr. Johannes Kilian also emphasised the importance of using modern AI tools as a useful resource for supporting process improvements and managing complexities.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;121757&#8243;]Expanding Rather than Restricting Room for Manoeuvre![\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;169089&#8243;]In order to achieve greater resilience and efficiency, it\u2019s also worth reconsidering excessively tight tolerances and oversizing. Michael Weigelt emphasised that the support, expert knowledge and contacts offered by the associations should be taken advantage of to a much greater extent \u2013 by becoming actively involved in this regard, companies would be more likely to succeed in reducing bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles. Weigelt pointed out that additional regulations and directives should be avoided, because obstacles of this sort restrict room for manoeuvre. However, this presupposes that companies make active use of all available opportunities for co-determination.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;361850&#8243;]Prioritise Recycling![\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;425993&#8243;]Although overall plastics recycling rates are still falling short of the desired levels, the panel concluded that expertise in handling the recycling process and recycled materials has been improving steadily. On the one hand, however, the volume of recycled material is still relatively low, and manufacturing products from recycled material is more expensive than producing them from virgin raw materials. On the other hand, there are still widespread reservations concerning the quality and design of recycled products. But this situation is gradually improving, for example through the targeted development of components designed specifically for recycled materials.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;205719&#8243;]More Enthusiasm for Plastics, Please![\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;696093&#8243;]Last but not least, the experts at the round table pleaded for the encouragement of greater enthusiasm for plastics and the plastics industry at every opportunity. The shortage of young talent, with regard to both skilled workers and university students, is obstructing innovation and thus requires urgent attention. G\u00fcnther Klammer clearly outlined how companies can build on their own strengths: \u201cCommon sense, insight and creativity \u2013 each in its rightful place!\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; style=&#8221;inherited&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;599212&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;169473&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;900&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h4&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;357394&#8243;]Moderation[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;3615&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shape=&#8221;img-circle&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;107402&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;756622&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;721876&#8243;]<strong>Dipl.-Ing. Markus L\u00fcling<\/strong>, Managing Director of Kunststoff-Profi Verlag and editor-in-chief of the trade magazines K-PROFI and K-AKTUELL[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; style=&#8221;inherited&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;111361&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;381558&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;900&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h4&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;195861&#8243;]The high-calibre guests on the panel are:[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;5913&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shape=&#8221;img-circle&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;186208&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;154467&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;197451&#8243;]<strong>Dr. Johannes Kilian<\/strong>, Vice President Process and Application Technology, ENGEL AUSTRIA[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;193109&#8243; el_class=&#8221;hidden&#8221;]<strong>His teaser:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>What attracts you to the podium with plastics processors, recycling technicians and mechanical engineers?<\/em><br \/>\nIf you want to do something new, you need reliability and trust and you have to find co-operation partners. Fakuma is an ideal platform for this.<\/p>\n<p><em>What are the missing prerequisites for a real breakthrough in the circular economy? Can digitalisation save what doesn&#8217;t work in the analogue world?<\/em><br \/>\nDigitalisation is what makes a genuine circular economy possible in the first place, because it can abolish the concept of waste, as both the composition and the whereabouts of materials can be traced at any time. It is therefore only a matter of time before the circular economy becomes established.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; style=&#8221;inherited&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;269065&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;381558&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;900&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;6005&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shape=&#8221;img-circle&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;107254&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;154467&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;287781&#8243;]<strong>Dipl.-Ing. G\u00fcnther Klammer<\/strong>, CTO, Next Generation Holding[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;165238&#8243; el_class=&#8221;hidden&#8221;]<strong>His teaser:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>What attracts you to the panel of recycling scientists, plastics processors and mechanical engineers?<\/em><br \/>\nThere are too many isolated solutions. The interface problems are therefore often more problematic than processing the actual task. This complicates the practical implementation of digital processes. Comprehensive standardisation across all sectors involved in plastics processing is absolutely essential here.<\/p>\n<p><em>Which specific findings from production data support profitability and efficiency in plastics processing the most?<\/em><br \/>\nDigitalisation offers the opportunity to structure and organise the big picture, i.e. to make data tangible when we humans are no longer cognitively capable of doing so. This is necessary in order to capture complex, recurring but also very fast processes in detail &#8211; or to simulate processes. Digitalisation in production therefore offers scope for human creativity and also allows people to safely push their limits and play out different scenarios. That&#8217;s great![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; style=&#8221;inherited&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;269065&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;381558&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;900&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;5915&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shape=&#8221;img-circle&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;320489&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;154467&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;109535&#8243;]<strong>Eva S\u00f6hnlein<\/strong>, Managing Director, Geiger Gruppe[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;141469&#8243; el_class=&#8221;hidden&#8221;]<strong>His teaser:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>What attracts you to the podium with scientists, recycling technicians and plastics processors?<\/em><br \/>\nAs a highly regarded \u2018working trade fair\u2019, Fakuma offers the perfect forum to discuss the key topic of digitalisation with experts from different fields in an intensive and practical manner. Here we can shed light on all aspects, exchange experiences, pool expertise, generate impetus and gain new ideas.<\/p>\n<p><em>What do you see as the greatest untapped potential of digitalisation for plastics processors?<\/em><br \/>\nPlastics processors can save valuable time and money with digitally networked machines and systems &#8211; for example, by using \u2018smart\u2019 control functions, cloud applications and AI tools. In view of the shortage of skilled labour and increasingly complex applications, these enable simple and safe operation of the systems and high process stability, e.g. when processing recycled materials. The important thing is not to collect as much data as possible, but to collect precisely the data that will make your own injection moulding operation more efficient and therefore sustainably successful and fit for the future.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; style=&#8221;inherited&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;269065&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;381558&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;900&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;5917&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shape=&#8221;img-circle&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;345979&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;154467&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;162709&#8243;]<strong>Michael Weigelt<\/strong>, Managing Director, TecPart &#8211; Verband Technische Kunststoff-Produkte e.V.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;118530&#8243; el_class=&#8221;hidden&#8221;]<strong>His teaser:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>What attracts you to the podium with scientists, recycling technicians and plastics processors?<\/em><br \/>\nAs a highly regarded \u2018working trade fair\u2019, Fakuma offers the perfect forum to discuss the key topic of digitalisation with experts from different fields in an intensive and practical manner. Here we can shed light on all aspects, exchange experiences, pool expertise, generate impetus and gain new ideas.<\/p>\n<p><em>What do you see as the greatest untapped potential of digitalisation for plastics processors?<\/em><br \/>\nPlastics processors can save valuable time and money with digitally networked machines and systems &#8211; for example, by using \u2018smart\u2019 control functions, cloud applications and AI tools. In view of the shortage of skilled labour and increasingly complex applications, these enable simple and safe operation of the systems and high process stability, e.g. when processing recycled materials. The important thing is not to collect as much data as possible, but to collect precisely the data that will make your own injection moulding operation more efficient and therefore sustainably successful and fit for the future.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; style=&#8221;inherited&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;192334&#8243; el_class=&#8221;hidden&#8221;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;169473&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;900&#8243;][vc_gallery el_id=&#8221;gallery-3184626&#8243; type=&#8221;css_grid&#8221; medias=&#8221;5074,4834&#8243; grid_items=&#8221;2&#8243; screen_lg_items=&#8221;3&#8243; screen_lg_breakpoint=&#8221;1000&#8243; screen_md_items=&#8221;2&#8243; screen_md_breakpoint=&#8221;600&#8243; screen_sm_items=&#8221;2&#8243; screen_sm_breakpoint=&#8221;480&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; media_items=&#8221;media|nolink|original,title,caption&#8221; single_text=&#8221;under&#8221; single_shape=&#8221;circle&#8221; single_overlay_opacity=&#8221;50&#8243; single_overlay_anim=&#8221;no&#8221; single_text_anim=&#8221;no&#8221; single_image_anim=&#8221;no&#8221; single_h_align=&#8221;center&#8221; single_padding=&#8221;1&#8243; single_title_dimension=&#8221;h5&#8243; single_icon=&#8221;fa fa-plus2&#8243; single_border=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_title=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; carousel_rtl=&#8221;&#8221; single_half_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; single_title_uppercase=&#8221;&#8221; single_title_serif=&#8221;&#8221; single_no_background=&#8221;yes&#8221; items=&#8221;eyIxMzc2M19pIjp7InNpbmdsZV9saW5rIjoidXJsOmh0dHA6Ly93d3cudW5kc2duLmNvbXx8dGFyZ2V0OiBfYmxhbmsifSwiMTM3NjlfaSI6eyJzaW5nbGVfbGluayI6InVybDpodHRwOi8vd3d3LnVuZHNnbi5jb218fHRhcmdldDogX2JsYW5rIn0sIjEzNzcwX2kiOnsic2luZ2xlX2xpbmsiOiJ1cmw6aHR0cDovL3d3dy51bmRzZ24uY29tfHx0YXJnZXQ6IF9ibGFuayJ9LCIxMzc2Nl9pIjp7InNpbmdsZV9saW5rIjoidXJsOmh0dHA6Ly93d3cudW5kc2duLmNvbXx8dGFyZ2V0OiBfYmxhbmsifX0=&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;150829&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;175111&#8243; el_class=&#8221;hide&#8221;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;632811&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;720&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;201111&#8243;]The plastics processing industry is one of the most important economic sectors in Germany and throughout Europe. Plastics processing companies, many of which are small and medium-sized enterprises, manufacture a vast range of products for all industry sectors and areas of life. Nevertheless, a sense of crisis prevails due to declining production, high energy costs, disrupted supply chains, geopolitical crises and a substantial tax burden. Pressure to shift to a circular economy is immense, yet the transition is stalling. A panel of renowned experts will come together at the \u201cFakuma Round-Table\u201d in order to discuss strategies for plastics processing companies, which could pave the way to an economically successful future \u2013 for example more stable cost structures, reduced dependence on volatile crude oil markets and a systematic transition to a circular economy. Economic conditions, environmental imperatives and social challenges must be reconciled. The moderated panel discussion will focus on specific measures in the areas of development, production and administration. You\u2019re cordially invited to follow this exciting discussion![\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;120973&#8243;]The event will take place on<br \/>\n<strong>Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 16:00 in the Foyer East<\/strong>.<br \/>\nDuration approx. 1 hour followed by a get-together.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Common sense, insight, creativity, innovation and even more involvement \u2013 this was the formula for a successful economic future recommended by the team of experts who took part in the \u201cFakuma Round Table\u201d discussion on the afternoon of the second day of the trade fair, 13 October 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6308,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,16],"class_list":["post-3636","specials","type-specials","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press","category-special"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specials\/3636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specials"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/specials"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3636"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specials\/3636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6316,"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specials\/3636\/revisions\/6316"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fakuma-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}