BP&R
Interplas Editorial Preview · 2026
Interplas 2026 · NEC Birmingham · 2–4 June

The Industry
Guide to
Interplas
2026

"A platform to reunite, learn from each other's progress and foster collaboration — and equally, a space to catch up, have fun, and tune in for what's going to be an unmissable event."

— Giulia Daniele, Editor, BP&R

500+
Exhibiting Companies
12k+
Professionals Attending
30+
Expert Speakers
BP&R Editorial

Why Interplas matters in 2026

There's no better way to experience the pace of innovation than seeing it unfold right before your eyes.

Interplas 2026 celebrates its 78th year — a remarkable legacy that began with a plastics section at the British Industries Fair in 1948 and has grown into the UK's defining plastics exhibition. This year, the show returns to the NEC Birmingham from 2–4 June, and if the industry mood is anything to go by, it's going to be a big one.

The current global market is tough, and there's no easy way to talk about it other than simply acknowledging it. But attending shows like Interplas is a reminder of what's possible. Think of it as a platform for high-quality industry communication — a place to reunite, learn from each other's progress and foster collaboration. And equally, a space to have fun, catch up with colleagues and tune in for what's going to be an unmissable event.

Interplas is living proof of how many great minds we're lucky to have in the UK plastics industry. The show provides a platform for the latest innovations and machinery, enabling exhibitors and visitors to learn from each other's opportunities and absorb the vibrant environment that is our sector. Prepare to be inspired, motivated and highly entertained.

"Interplas is the go-to event for the plastics industry and is a must attend for all decision makers, influencers, and technical specialists. At Interplas, the opportunity to network, share ideas, look for solutions and identify new technology and processes in one place is unprecedented in the UK."
Ian Ray, McLaren Automotive
"Interplas is the pinnacle of all technologies and the UK's main stage for showcasing them — everything is at your fingertips."
Jon Busby & Daley Williams, Plastech Solutions
"The show provides a platform for the latest innovations and machinery, enabling exhibitors and visitors to learn from each other's opportunities."
Ashlee Gough, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK & Ireland
⚙️
500+ Exhibitors
Injection moulding, extrusion, automation, recycling, materials, tooling and more — across the full processing spectrum.
🎤
Interplas Insights Conference
30+ expert speakers across three days of free sessions covering sustainability, digitalisation, packaging, materials and workforce skills.
🤖
Live Demonstrations
Machinery running in real production on the show floor — injection moulding, robotics, automation, and next-generation processing.
🔗
Co-Located Shows
TCT 3Sixty (additive manufacturing, 2–4 June) and Med-Tech Expo (medical devices, 3–4 June) — both included with your free Interplas badge.
🤝
VIP Buyers Programme
Pre-arranged 1-to-1 meetings connecting serious buyers with the right suppliers. Apply separately — places are limited.
🏛️
Knowledge Pavilion
Trade associations, consultancy bodies, and funding providers including the BPF — on hand for advice, guidance and expert support.
Exhibitor preview
Exhibitor preview

What's confirmed on the show floor

Stand numbers, product launches, and live demonstrations confirmed for June. Updated as announcements come in.

UK DebutHall 9 · Stand R30
Sepro Group

UK debut for the Visual 4 robot controller and the new S5 Line robot range. Two robots running live in production on the Borche stand, demonstrating real-world automation performance.

📍 Hall 9, Stand R30
View exhibitor profile →
UK FirstHall 11 · Stand E50
BOY Machines — BOY 20E PRO

The first BOY 20E PRO in the UK. High-output injection moulding in a compact 1.8m² footprint — for manufacturers under pressure to maximise production without expanding floor space.

📍 Hall 11, Stand E50
View exhibitor profile →
ComplianceHall 9 · Stand W90
Wells Performance Materials

Commercially-ready PFAS-free processing aids for film extrusion, arriving as EU and UK restrictions tighten. Reduces pressure and motor torque without the compliance risk of fluoropolymer alternatives.

📍 Hall 9, Stand W90
View exhibitor profile →
Live DemoHall 5 · Stand L50
ARBURG — ALLROUNDER TREND

The all-electric ALLROUNDER TREND — launched at K 2025, running live at Interplas. Clamping forces from 500 to 2,000 kN, energy-efficient performance and simplified operation.

📍 Hall 5, Stand L50
View exhibitor profile →
Live DemoHall 10 · Stand L98/L100
KraussMaffei — MC7 Production Cell

A PX 80-tonne live production cell with the MC7 controller, featuring cybersecurity designed to meet incoming regulatory requirements. Essential viewing for manufacturers planning automation investment.

📍 Hall 10, Stand L98/L100
View exhibitor profile →
Live DemoHall 10 · Stand K70
Labotek + Getecha + Ferlin

Under "Sustainable Integration" — a complete system combining drying, granulation, and blending, demonstrating waste and energy reduction within a single integrated processing cell.

📍 Hall 10, Stand K70
View exhibitor profile →

More exhibitor announcements at Interplas Insights →

Conference programme

The future of the UK plastics industry

Interplas 2026 brings together industry leaders, innovators and policymakers across three days and three tracks — exploring sustainability, recycling and AI-enabled manufacturing; materials and packaging innovation; and the skills and education needed to support long-term growth. Together, these themes reflect a shared ambition to build a more resilient, circular and future-ready plastics industry in the UK. All sessions are free with your visitor registration.

Day 1

From rationalisation in European polymer production to the growing role of AI in managing risk — Day 1 addresses both strategic and practical challenges facing processors today, with a forward-looking panel on the UK industry's direction.

Day 2

Materials and packaging innovations take centre stage — from circular economy success stories and PFAS-free alternatives to compostable food-contact packaging and the science of avoiding greenwashing.

Day 3

Finding, training and retaining younger minds can unlock endless possibilities. Day 3 asks: can we make this leap easier? Sessions explore polymer training, new approaches to learning, and a panel on building a future-ready talent pipeline.

Tuesday 2 June
10:35
Recycling, Sustainability & AI
The UK plastics industry at a glance
10:45
Recycling, Sustainability & AI
Rationalisation and resilience
What is driving the rationalisation in European Polymer Production and what does the future look like for our industry. How to manage supply chain disruption in an import-dependent market.
12:45
Recycling, Sustainability & AI
Reprocessed polymers in practice: From challenge to competitive advantage
A practical overview of today's reprocessed polymer market, covering technology advances, supply chain development, traceability, and CO₂ reporting.
13:15
Recycling, Sustainability & AI
Making UK plastics recycling work: Insights, interventions & pathways to circularity
Grounded in a recent Ecosurety/RECOUP report examining the current state of UK plastics recycling, identifying practical actions needed for long-term viability and looking ahead to 2030.
13:45
Recycling, Sustainability & AI
Compliance doesn't have to be complicated — it just has to be right
How to reframe compliance as a practical, achievable part of everyday operations — designing it into workflows, avoiding common pitfalls, and creating a culture where compliance supports innovation.
14:30
Recycling, Sustainability & AI
Turnkey predictions and practicalities
What turnkey looks like in reality — PMMDA data on automation and digital integrations, and key trends processors are seeking for smart, tech-enabled solutions.
15:00
Recycling, Sustainability & AI
Utilising AI to manage risks in the plastics value chain
Leveraging AI to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and optimise operations from sourcing to end-of-life — practical applications that unlock smarter decision-making.
Wednesday 3 June
10:30
Material & Packaging Innovations
Gauging the future: Moving towards more sustainable technologies
How gauging technology is helping film extruders and converters meet sustainability targets while managing pressures on energy consumption and manufacturing process.
11:00
Material & Packaging Innovations
From event carpeting to award-winning furniture: Circular economy in action
Winner of the 2025 BPF/Worshipful Company of Horners David Williams Award — Future Makers presents the Carpet Creates project, a pioneering example of circular design and sustainable innovation.
11:30
Material & Packaging Innovations
Panel — Materials & Packaging Innovation Panel
13:00
Material & Packaging Innovations
Safety aspects of recycled HDPE in contact-sensitive applications
The regulatory and safety considerations for using recycled HDPE in food-contact and medical applications — and what the evidence says.
13:30
Material & Packaging Innovations
Avoiding greenwashing: A practical approach to credible sustainability communications
Why greenwashing matters, eight general actions to avoid it, and seven specific actions for plastics processors covering recycling, bio-based content, compostability and carbon footprinting.
14:15
Material & Packaging Innovations
Unlocking innovation: Rapid assessment of biodegradable plastics
How accelerated biodegradation screening in R&D can reduce time-to-insight and foster credible, data-driven sustainability innovation across the plastics value chain.
14:45
Material & Packaging Innovations
Designing compostable packaging for food-contact applications
Natural polymers, biodegradable and compostable plastics, and barrier properties — three submissions from AIMPLAS exploring sustainable packaging pathways.
15:15
Material & Packaging Innovations
Development of PFAS-free PPA for film extrusion
Wells Performance Materials' R&D demonstrates why drop-in solutions oversimplify the challenge of replacing fluoropolymer-based PPA — and what PFAS-free and PFAS & Siloxane-free alternatives look like.
Thursday 4 June
10:30
Education & Skills
Polymer training and workforce capability
Why targeted polymer training is a low-risk, high-return investment — protecting operational resilience, talent, and long-term value as operations grow more complex.
11:00
Education & Skills
Why plastic expertise needs a new approach to learning
How a collaborative learning network for the plastics industry — accessible, bite-sized education — can improve confidence, communication and decision-making across technical and non-technical roles.
11:30
Education & Skills
Panel — Workforce & Skills Panel
A panel exploring how the industry can build a more skilled, resilient workforce — covering L&D budgets, skills gaps, retention, and the case for collaborative training approaches.
Register free to access all sessions

No separate booking required · Build your schedule in the Interplas app

Full programme at interplasuk.com/sessions →

Speaking at Interplas 2026
British Plastics Federation·Labotek GB·Sumitomo (SHI) Demag·Tangram Technology·Big Bear Plastic Products·IOM3 Polymer Group·Sierra 57 Consult·Plastribution·SCANTECH S.A.S·AIMPLAS·Haitian UK / PMM·Hardie Polymers·Norner AS·Tiro Training·Impact Solutions·RECOUP·Mavarick·London Metropolitan University·Wells Performance Materials·RAVAGO·FANUC UK·PS Partnerships·PREA·Worshipful Company of Horners·IOM3·British Plastics Federation·Labotek GB·Sumitomo (SHI) Demag·Tangram Technology·Big Bear Plastic Products·IOM3 Polymer Group·Sierra 57 Consult·Plastribution·SCANTECH S.A.S·AIMPLAS·Haitian UK / PMM·Hardie Polymers·Norner AS·Tiro Training·Impact Solutions·RECOUP·Mavarick·London Metropolitan University·Wells Performance Materials·RAVAGO·FANUC UK·PS Partnerships·PREA·Worshipful Company of Horners·IOM3·
Latest News

Interplas 2026 — latest from Interplas Insights

The latest exhibitor announcements, product previews, and show news — updated as it's published.

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© 2026 Interplas. The UK's leading plastics exhibition. Guide produced by British Plastics & Rubber magazine.

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