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.

Domo Chemicals has named Bamberger Polymers an authorised distribution partner effective immediately. Bamberger will offer Domo’s North American product portfolio including Domamid, Econamid and Domonyl Nylon 6 and 66 compounds. For more than 50 years, Bamberger Polymers has serviced the plastics industry distributing thermoplastic resins to customers worldwide. The company offers products to injection moulders, blow moulders, compounders, extruders, and manufacturers of plastic products.

Covestro and orthopedic service provider GeBioM mbH, based in Münster, Germany, are expanding their cooperation in the field of orthopedic footwear. In addition to producing lasts and trial shoes, they now support orthopedic shoemakers in the production of custom insoles using 3D printing. A new Addigy FPU 79A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) from Covestro is used in the form of filaments. Together with Danish printer partner Create it Real, the companies offer a new and sustainable solution for the digital production of shoe insoles.

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.

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.