Borealis proudly announces the successful conclusion of an innovative reusable cup pilot program at K 2025, the premier trade fair for plastics and rubber. This event marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time a comprehensive reusable cup system was implemented at Messe Düsseldorf, significantly reducing waste and providing a viable blueprint for enhancing circularity in large-scale events.
The pilot project featured 50,000 durable, lightweight reusable cups crafted from Borealis’ foamable polypropylene, sourced through OMV’s ReOil® technology, utilizing chemically recycled feedstock. This initiative was bolstered by collaboration with a wider value chain, including contributions from Bockatech, Faerch, MCC Global IML, and ARBURG.
The cups served as receptacles for hot and cold drinks throughout all restaurants, bars, and food trucks on the fairgrounds. Additionally, they were available at the coffee corner of both the Borealis and Borouge stands, as well as the MCC Global IML stand. A specialized collection and cleaning system was established, featuring around 50 collection bins to facilitate quick washing and reuse of the cups within hours.
“Introducing a cup return system across an event as large and complex as K 2025 was a major step for us,” states Thomas Franken, Director of K, Messe Düsseldorf. “It demonstrated that visitors are eager to engage with circular solutions, proving that large-scale reuse can be effective. The insights gained from this pilot will greatly inform our discussions on future strategies.”
Once the fair concluded, a substantial number of cups left on-site had been utilized, collected, and cleaned for reuse. Out of approximately 20,000 cups, over 4,000 were donated to scout groups and smaller social projects in Düsseldorf, while nearly 15,000 cups were donated to Diakonie Düsseldorf. The donation logistics were managed with support from FORTESNICKEL, a Düsseldorf-based live marketing agency renowned for crafting impactful brand experiences that forge emotional connections.
Remaining cups recovered from waste or identified as damaged are being mechanically recycled at mtm plastics in Germany, part of the Borealis Group, to produce high-quality feedstock for new applications. This recycling effort aligns with the broader goal of sustainable food and drink packaging solutions.
“We’re proud to have led this initiative in partnership with Messe Düsseldorf and our value chain associates,” states Philip Knapen, Borealis Application Development and Technical Service Manager for Consumer Products. “Together, we’ve demonstrated that implementing circular systems in large, complex environments is feasible, underscoring that collaboration is essential for success.”
The scout groups received their cups in November, while the handover of the donated cups to Diakonie Düsseldorf took place at the end of December 2025, attended by notable figures including Thomas Franken (Messe Düsseldorf), Philip Knapen (Borealis), Dzenita Antunovic (Borealis), Mario Nickel, CEO of FORTESNICKEL, and Sonja Laudin from Diakonie Düsseldorf.
“We were delighted to help Borealis and Messe Düsseldorf find a meaningful second life for these reusable cups,” expresses Mario Nickel. “Seeing them repurposed for a beneficial cause serves as the perfect culmination of this ambitious project.”
Advancing circularity in busy, high-traffic environments like K presents significant challenges; however, this initiative has proved that large-scale reuse systems can yield substantial results when fully supported by the entire value chain. The successful implementation reinforces the commitment to sustainable food and drink packaging solutions.
