The initiative marks the first time that Messe Düsseldorf, organizer
of the K Fair – the world’s leading event for plastics and rubber – will
implement a fully integrated reusable cup system across its restaurants and
cafés. The exhibition will be held from October 7–14, 2025, and will showcase tangible
innovations in plastic sustainability under the theme “The Power of Plastics:
Green, Smart, Responsible.”
Turning End-of-Life Plastics into New Polymer Feedstock
The reusable cups are manufactured using foamed polypropylene (PP)
modified by Borealis, based on feedstock derived from OMV’s proprietary ReOil
technology. This process chemically recycles end-of-life plastics into circular
raw materials used for new polymer production. The ReOil facility is located at
OMV’s Schwechat refinery near Vienna.
“Our ReOil technology is a cornerstone of OMV’s circular offering,
aiming to deliver sustainable feedstock solutions for the chemical and polymer
industries,” said OMV’s Senior Vice President for Circular Economy.
From Waste to Reuse: Industry Collaboration at Scale
This initiative brings together several major industrial players,
including Arburg, Bockatech, MCC Global IML, and Miko Pac. The project is
designed to significantly reduce single-use plastic waste during large-scale
events while setting a precedent for future global exhibitions.
The cups, distributed free of charge and without deposit, will be
collected, washed, and reused at designated stations throughout the venue. Even
if mistakenly discarded, they will be retrieved, sorted, and either recycled or
cleaned for reuse. The aim is to scientifically track reuse frequency,
recycling rates, and environmental impact to build scalable models for similar
future applications.
“This is an embodiment of our K 2025 mission,” said Thomas Franken,
Director of K Fair at Messe Düsseldorf. “We want to demonstrate how the
plastics industry can drive practical, scalable sustainability.”
Advanced Technologies Underpin the System
- Bockatech’s
EcoCore technology enables lightweight foamed cups
that use 50% less polymer, provide double the thermal insulation, and
offer up to five times more durability.
- MCC
Global IML has produced fully recyclable in-mold
labels (IML), allowing for both effective branding and recyclability.
- Arburg
supplied precision injection molding systems to manufacture the cups.
- Miko
Pac designed the final packaging solution for the foodservice
market.
Alignment with EU Packaging Waste Reforms
The project supports the European Union’s forthcoming Packaging and
Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which aims to reduce single-use plastics and
increase recycling across the bloc. Borealis says these cups represent a
credible alternative to conventional options, reducing virgin material
consumption while enhancing recyclability and durability.
“This is an example of true value chain collaboration,” said Borealis’
Consumer Product Marketing Vice President. “It demonstrates how circular design
and innovation can converge to create scalable, sustainable solutions.”
Looking Ahead: From Pilot to Global Standard
K 2025 organizers plan to use empirical data collected during the fair
to inform best practices and potential standardization for other international
exhibitions. As the polymer industry moves towards advanced thermoplastics,
bioplastics, and circular materials, initiatives like this could define the
future of sustainable packaging.
The reusable cup system at K 2025 offers more than just waste
reduction—it showcases the future of polymers through innovation, partnership,
and responsibility. It stands as a milestone in the transition from linear
plastic models to a circular economy framework, with global implications for
the industry.
Source: National Polymer Association of Iran