Messe Düsseldorf is dedicated to minimizing waste at large events. At K 2025, the premier international trade fair for plastics and rubber, the introduction of reusable cups marks a significant first step towards a sustainable solution that can be expanded for future gatherings. Borealis supports this initiative by supplying high-performance modified foamable polypropylene (PP), especially designed for reusable and recyclable cup applications.
Additionally, the use of chemically recycled feedstock, derived from OMV’s ReOil® technology, enhances sustainability. This initiative is a pivotal move towards mitigating single-use packaging at global exhibitions, in line with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
“ReOil® is our proprietary chemical recycling technology that converts end-of-life plastics into circular feedstock for the production of chemicals, in particular new plastics,” explains Maximilian Grasserbauer, OMV Senior Vice President Circular Economy. “We operate ReOil® at our Schwechat refinery near Vienna, Austria, and are continually investing in advancing this technology to ensure a reliable supply of circular feedstock for the market. ReOil® is part of our sustainable base chemicals portfolio, designed to support our industry’s shift toward circular feedstocks.”
In addition to reusability and recycled content, these cups play a crucial role in the circular economy: they are lightweight, material-efficient, have a reduced carbon footprint, and are fully recyclable.
“At Borealis, we are committed to crafting innovative solutions alongside our value chain partners. This initiative exemplifies that commitment,” states Peter Voortmans, Borealis Vice President Marketing Consumer Products. “Reuse systems are essential for enhancing the sustainability of large-scale events, and our polypropylene solutions for foam facilitate this by enabling lightweight, durable, and fully recyclable applications that utilize less material than traditional alternatives.”
Throughout K Fair, visitors will find the cups available deposit-free at all restaurants and bars across the venue. To promote reuse, Messe Düsseldorf will install dedicated collection containers. Attendees can return the cups to service points, dispose of them in collection containers, or take them home for personal reuse.
Logistics staff will ensure that cups left on tables or placed in the collection containers are collected, rinsed in on-site kitchens, and returned to service. Cups discarded in general waste bins will be collected post-event and recycled by Borealis. Any unused cups will be donated for further use.
Thomas Franken, K Director, Portfolio Plastics and Rubber, Messe Düsseldorf, elaborates on the motivation behind the initiative: “Introducing reusable cups to replace single-use cups at K 2025 aligns perfectly with our motto, ‘The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible.’ As the global forum shaping the future of plastics, K 2025 provides the ideal platform to showcase practical initiatives reflecting the industry’s dedication to sustainability—while also supporting Messe Düsseldorf’s sustainability goals.”
This initiative will serve as a pilot program for evaluating the effectiveness of scalable reuse systems at large events. Messe Düsseldorf will analyze usage patterns, tracking how many cups are used, reused, and recycled. The insights gained will contribute to the development of more sustainable packaging solutions for future events, as reducing emissions and waste is a key objective of Messe Düsseldorf’s sustainability strategy.
The collaboration has garnered support from additional partners, each contributing to the production of the cups and the integration of durable in-mold labels.
Arburg: Experts in manufacturing high-end injection molding machines and turnkey systems for plastics processing.
Bockatech: Their EcoCore® foaming technology, utilized in the durable injection-molded cups, reduces plastic use by up to 50%, doubles thermal insulation, cuts manufacturing time, and enhances strength while ensuring recyclability.
MCC Global IML: Focused on producing sustainable in-mold labels for rigid plastic packaging, emphasizing innovation and circularity.
Miko Pac: Specialized in developing innovative plastic packaging solutions across various industries, including food and drink packaging.
www.borealisgroup.com | www.borealiseverminds.com
Borealis will exhibit together with Borouge at Hall 6, Stand A43.
