Chinaplas 2021 was concluded on 16 April 2021 with a total of 152,134 visitors. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the move to the new venue at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, CHINAPLAS has once again proved itself to be a high standard platform for presenting new technologies and sourcing latest products for the plastics and rubber industries. Though the total number of visitors this year dropped by 6.85 %, the number of local visitors has increased by 23.46 % compared to the previous edition of show in Guangzhou in 2019. In addition, the official live streaming platform has attracted 363,000 audiences and helped the event reach out to global buyers throughout the four days of the event.

On 15 April 2021, The Chemours Company announced its ambitious goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Chemours is driving to achieve a 60 % absolute reduction of operations-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, putting the company on the path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The company also announced the appointment of Sheryl Telford as Chief Sustainability Officer to lead its end-to-end sustainability effort.

Sheryl Telford has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Sustainability Officer at Chemours. A respected and trusted industry expert, Telford has more than three decades of experience in the environmental, safety and health fields in the government, utility and chemistry sectors. She joined Chemours upon its creation in 2015 as Director, EHS and Remediation before being named vice president, environment, health, safety and corporate responsibility in 2018. In her new role, Telford will also play a central role in establishing strategic collaborations and partnerships with external experts, companies, industries and organisations to advance Chemours sustainability efforts and advocate for sustainable, science-based policy and regulation.

The new online magazine K-MAG of K in Düsseldorf is featuring facts, news, stories and trends from the international plastics and rubber industry.

In March 2021, the Asahi Kasei Europe R&D Center relocated from Dormagen to the new location at Düsseldorf Harbour, Germany. Asahi Kasei Europe had started office operation at the location on 16 November 2020. By uniting European sales, marketing and R&D activities, the Japanese technology company further enhances its business approach towards the European automotive industry.

Marcello Boldrini, Kraton's Senior Vice President and Chemical Segment President, has been appointed to the additional role of Chief Sustainability Officer for Kraton Corporation in March 2021. In his expanded role, Marcello Boldrini will assume responsibility for Kraton's global Sustainability strategy and related initiatives.

Nokian Tyres has set the ambitious goal to introduce a concept tire using only renewable and recycled materials by the year 2025.

Jun Inoue is joining the management of Kuraray Europe GmbH (KEG) as co-managing director, alongside Dr. Matthias Gutweiler. Speciality chemicals producer Kuraray has its European headquarters in Hattersheim, Germany, and production facilities at Höchst Industrial Park in Frankfurt and in Troisdorf. Jun Inoue will also be in charge of the Advanced Materials division. In addition to the speciality chemicals business, he will therefore be responsible for the Elastomer, Dental, Industry and Microfibres business units. He intends to drive forward the focus on high-performance materials in Germany and Europe. Priorities are materials with a strong sustainability profile and the establishment of innovative 5G technologies for production and service. Jun Inoue takes over from Naoya Uehara, who is moving to a new management role at Kuraray in Japan.

According to data from the MECS-AMAPLAST (national trade association and member of Confindustria) Statistical Studies Centre, which were analysed accounting for ISTAT data, last year revenues for Italian plastics and rubber equipment manufacturers recorded a drop of 11.4 % to a total value of EUR 3.9 billion, after the record peak in 2017, substantially continuing into 2018, then followed by a cyclical setback in 2019.

The European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) representing the interests of the European mechanical end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling industry, calls upon the European Commission to strengthen its commitment to the Circular Economy. With the release of ECHA´s opinions on infill materials, now it is up to the Commission to take a decision on what measures to follow as regards this application. EuRIC warns about the negative impacts that some of the options covered, including a complete ban, may have on the environment and on the objectives of speeding the transition towards a more circular economy.