Chinaplas 2012 set new record
With continuous growth in scale over the years, Chinaplas 2012 (the 26th International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries), closed on April 21, 2012 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre, PR China, climbed another big step with new records of exhibition area, numbers of exhibitors and visitors.
Ranked as Asia's No.1 and world's No.2 plastics and rubber show, Chinaplas 2012's scale has expanded 16.67% to 210,000sqm compared to 2011 and recorded 40% with comparison made to the one held in Shanghai in 2010. For visitors, a breakthrough of 5-digit number to 109,858 with growth rate of 16.77% versus 2011 and 34.9% versus 2010.
"Chinaplas has enjoyed the benefits from the continuous economic recovery since last year especially in Asia. The show's growing reputation together with the strengthening economy in the Asian region boosted confidence of our exhibitors, leading to an upsurge in the number of exhibitors and exhibition scale. Thanks to the global trend of green manufacturing and China's 12th Five-year plan, we together with the exhibitors bring in many new development, new technology and new materials which feature low carbon emission, eco-friendliness, energy saving, etc.," said Mr. Stanley Chu, Chairman of Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd., Organizer of Chinaplas.
Mr. Chu added, "the strong reputation of Chinaplas, the well-mixture of Chinese and overseas exhibitors, the latest market updates for different application sectors, together with a diversified range of exhibits have attracted visitors from different parts of the world, achieving a double-digit increase in the number of visitors. More importantly, ever-increasing number of overseas visitors has upgraded Chinaplas to a higher international level."
Mr. Chu, Mr. Bu Zheng Fa, President of China National Light Industry Council, Mr. Chen Shi Neng, Honorary President of China National Light Industry Council, Mrs. Yu Qingji, Executive Vice President of China Machinery Industry Federation, Mr. Dirk Elbers, Lord Mayor, City of Düsseldorf, Mr. Qian Gui Jin, Vice President of China National Light Industry Council, Mr. Cao Jian, Vice President of China Plastics Processing Industry Association, Mr. Zhang Jingzhang, President of China Plastics Machinery Industry Association, Mr. Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President and CEO, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, Mr. Bernhard Merki, President of Europe's Association for Plastics and Rubber Machinery Manufacturers (EUROMAP), Mr. Chen Ming, President of Shanghai Society of Plastics Industry and Ms. Liu Jing Fen, Vice President & Secretary General of Shanghai Society of Plastics Industry officiated at the ribbon cutting ceremony on April 18, 2012 to mark the grand opening of this mega plastics and rubber trade fair which occupied an exhibition area of 210,000sqm. 2,729 exhibitors coming from 36 countries and regions filled up the 25 exhibition halls, enjoying another double-digit growth of 12.1% comparing to 2011. The show also welcomed over 500 new exhibitors who were optimistic about China and Asian plastics and rubber industries. Some of renowned new comers were LG Chem, Daelim, Styrolution, Orion, Kao, ESOPP, Senvo, Shihyao, Enaiviv, Shantou Auto Packaging Machinery, Zhongshan Guzhen Huaxin, Wells, Fukan Plastics and Techne-Graham, etc.
It is worth mentioning that two new pavilions from Korea and Thailand joined Chinaplas this year, boosting the number of pavilions to 13 and breaking last year's record. The rest of the pavilions came from Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, PR China, Taiwan, Turkey, UK and USA. The prominent presence of these pavilions strongly proved the rising status of Chinaplas in the international arena.
The leap over 100,000 visitors contributed from not only local but also overseas visitors. CHINAPLAS this year gained 28,110 overseas visitors, which was 25.59% from the total. They came from 150 countries and regions with Korea, India, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, Hong Kong and Iran as the ten top origins which accounted for 62.83% of overseas visitors. Over 50% of overseas visitors came from Asia excluding Hong Kong / Macau and Taiwan (55.43%), followed by Europe (10.88%), Middle East (9.49%), Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (8.93%), America (8.57%), Africa (5 %) and Oceania (1.7%). For local visitors, Eastern China (excluding Shanghai) formed the majority which was 47.25%, followed by Shanghai (26.68%), Southern China (12.19%), Northern & Northeastern China (7.7%) and Central, Southwestern and Northwestern China (6.18%).
Each year, delegation groups flocked to the show on the first two days. This year, over 100 groups of key buyers, corporations and associations, representing different application sectors, came from all over the world, including Brazil, Colombian, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, PR China, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukrainian and Vietnam. The strong attendance of renowned enterprises, such as Foxconn Technology Group, LOREAL, MicroPort Medical, Rexam Plastic Metallizing Technologies and United Automotive Electronic Systems, etc. has fully demonstrated the leading role of Chinaplas as an effective sourcing platform for plastics and rubber technology.
To demonstrate the theme of "The Future is in Plastics and Rubber", the "Future Zone", comprising "Future Car" and "Premium Design Gallery", succeeded in capturing the attention of all participants. The "Batshark", champion of "Future Car" design competition operated under the "Nurturing Our Future" program, was unveiled at the opening day. Specially created by a group of students in East China University of Science and Technology, the "Batshark" featured smart operation system, lightweight and green technology with its design concept revealing the forward looking future in the plastics and rubber industries. Another part of the "Future Zone" was the "Premium Design Gallery" which showcased a series of new, innovative and unique design of various plastic-made end products. Highlighted exhibits are "a Tree of Life" which is made of polycarbonate film; a Solar Impulse aircraft model which uses solar energy as the power source; chairs which possess delicateness, high mobility and various designs on shapes; three cutlery items that can be jointed together, forming a small yet stable free-standing sculpture, etc.
Chinaplas' rising reputation has been confirmed by the extensive affirmative recognition from exhibitors who achieved a fruitful result during the 4-day show.
"We have exhibited at Chinaplas for more than 10 years. UBE participated in many important plastics trade fairs like K, NPE, IPF and Chinaplas is also one of them. Here in Chinaplas we can build relationship with old clients and find new customers in Asia. The buyers we are looking for are from packaging, auto and fishing industries. We receive good response and gain some potential prospects from these areas," said Mr. Tokuhiro Sakida, Manager, Investor Relations & Public Relations Dept. of UBE Industries Ltd.
Ms. Angela Wu, Taiwan Kinki Machinery Co., Ltd. commented, "We target buyers who are looking for injection molding machines for industries like Automotive and Electrical & Electronics. The quality of visitors this year is higher and many of them fall into our prospect pool. Quite a number of deals have been started discussion at the fairground. We have already participated in Chinaplas for three years and will continue to join."
Mr. Robert Jonsson, Key Segment Leader of Polymers of Algol Chemicals AB stated, "It is a good experience to meet new suppliers all over the world. Besides the big name ones, I can also meet those less famous ones and share contacts with them for future cooperation. I found what I want here and I am very impressed with the Bioplastics zone, where I can find the latest technology of green products."
"It is my first time to join Chinaplas. I am looking for LDPE materials and foam materials which are specific in the construction industry. It is crucial for us to find the right suppliers. Chinaplas has good location and good map assisting me to find the suppliers. I have already found some new suppliers like SABIC and one in the Thailand pavilion," said Mr. JUC Artiom, Asia Department Manager of "Procarton Grup" Ltd, a Russian visitor.
Mr. Wang Lin, Purchasing Engineer of Shanghai Pret Composites Co. Ltd. mentioned, "The main purposes of attending Chinaplas are to check out the development prospect of the industry, and to communicate with other companies. I hope the show can become the beacon of our company's business. There is a lack of exchange platforms for the plastics industry in China and Chinaplas provides a large one for us."
