Extrusion International 3-2025

22 Extrusion International 3/2025 INDUSTRY NEWS Plastics Recycling Show Europe – World’s Largest Plastics Recycling Event The Plastics Recycling Show Eu - rope shattered records in Amster- dam with over 500 exhibitors, more than 75 expert speakers, and an all- time high of 13,325 attendees over the two days. “The positive vibe in the magnifi - cent flagship Halls 1 & 5 of the RAI was absolutely tangible this year,” says Matt Barber, Global Events Di - rector at Crain Communications. “Even though we knew going into PRS Europe that it has been a dif - ficult time for some players in the plastics recycling sector, the excite- ment and optimism at the show have been palpable. The halls were buzzing with the exchange of ideas and business being done, and there was a confidence that the wealth of innovations on show will catalyse further growth in the circular use of plastic.” “Anyone interested in plastics recycling, whether from politics, science, academia, or active play- ers like brand owners, converters, producers or recyclers, should come to this show, which is now firmly established as the largest in the world,” says Ton Emans, Plastics Re - cyclers Europe President. “We have brought together leading experts in the two conference theatres and exhibitors with world-class in- novations to improve the plastics recycling value chain.” Conference speaker Timo Unger, Senior Man - ager Sustainability & Environmental Affairs, Hyundai said at the show: “I'm totally impressed. I didn't ex - pect so many experts, so many inter- ested people, such a huge amount of new technology. It’s a great event and I really appreciate it.” “PRSE is really important because sentiment is maybe a bit negative at the moment in the industry, but when you are walking here among the exhibits, you see a lot of innova- tion, a lot of good companies and a really positive vibe,” added Gerben Hieminga, Senior Economist, ING. “It brings in people like myself, the techno optimists. We can solve these problems, but we really have to start making the business cases and scale up the solutions.” The Plastics Recycling Show Eu - rope brings together key players from the plastics and recycling sec- tors to showcase innovative tech- nology, share best practices, net- work and do business. Every part of the circular plastics value chain is represented at the event, includ- ing plastics recycling machinery and equipment suppliers, AI-powered sorting technology, plastic material suppliers and compounders, pre- processors, mechanical and chemi- cal plastics recyclers, waste man- agement specialists and industry associations. Plastics Recycling Show Europe re - turns to Halls 1 and 5 at RAI Amster- dam from 5-6 May 2026. Plastics Re - cycling Shows are now being held in four global locations: Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore and Mumbai. Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2025 Winners Announced at PRS Europe The winners of the eighth annual Plastics Recycling Awards Europe were announced at the Plastics Recycling Show Europe in Amster - dam. The 2025 winners exemplify the best advances in the use of re- cycled plastics in products, as well as the latest innovations in technology and machinery that facilitate plas- tics recycling. “Many of this year’s shortlisted entries showcase innovations in plastics recycling that, just eight years ago, would have been con- sidered unattainable,” said Ton Emans, Plastics Recyclers Europe’s President. “This demonstrates just how far the industry has pro- gressed since the inception of these awards and underscores the critical value that plastic recycling plays for the future of European industry.” Speaking at the awards ceremo - ny, Karen Laird, Editor in Chief of