Circular Economy in Practice: Borealis and Messe Düsseldorf Test Reusable Cup System at K 2025
16/02/2026
At K 2025, a comprehensive reusable cup system was used for the first time at the Messe Düsseldorf exhibition centre. Together with Borealis, the trade fair tested a circular concept for beverage packaging based on chemically recycled raw materials. The pilot project shows how reuse, mechanical recycling and social engagement can work together at large events.
Underestimated lifesavers: How plastics make our everyday lives safer
28/01/2026
Plastics are rightly criticized—microplastics, resource consumption, and disposal problems are real challenges. But in the discussion about bans and alternatives, one crucial question is often ignored: What happens in safety-related areas if we do without plastics?
Scientists upcycle plastics into carbon capture technology
03/10/2025
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a breakthrough material called BAETA, made from discarded PET plastics, that can efficiently capture CO₂ from air and industrial exhausts. The innovation not only addresses the global plastic waste problem but also offers a scalable tool in the fight against climate change.
Factor 101: Setting new standards in Lightweight PET Bottles for still Water
14/07/2025
With the “Factor 101” PET bottle, KHS and Husky Technologies present a new benchmark in sustainable packaging. Developed in just four months, the ultra-light yet robust container offers significant material savings and production efficiency – ideal for cost-sensitive markets.
Sustainable Snacking: traceless® Friespickers Debut at Major Festivals
04/07/2025
How can sustainable single-use items succeed at large-scale events? traceless materials demonstrated it at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, where their plastic-free friespickers took the stage. It's a practical step towards circular solutions in the foodservice industry.
Reusable instead of disposable: Messe Düsseldorf and Borealis launch sustainable cup system at K 2025
03/07/2025
Messe Düsseldorf is using a comprehensive reusable cup system for the first time at K 2025. Together with Borealis, a newly developed polypropylene foam based on OMV's ReOil® technology will be used. The aim is to reduce disposable waste and promote circular value creation.
DePoly launches industrial-scale facility for fossil-free PET recycling
27/06/2025
DePoly, a Swiss cleantech scale-up, will open a demonstration plant in Monthey in summer 2025. The facility will recycle PET and polyester waste into virgin-quality raw materials without fossil inputs – a major step toward a circular plastics economy.
FAQ: International Strategies for a Circular Economy
17/04/2025
How are countries around the globe advancing the circular economy in the plastics and rubber industry? Our FAQ addresses the most important questions.
Reusable Transport Box: Plastics for Modern Logistics
20/11/2024
Disposable packaging still dominates many logistics processes – often at the expense of efficiency and sustainability. A new reusable transport box aims to close this gap by conserving resources, saving costs and being flexible in use. The solution was developed by Fraunhofer LBF.
Circular Economy in the canteen: Start-up develops reusable containers for the catering industry
15/11/2023
We all know the image: urban rubbish bins overflowing with disposable packaging. The Corona pandemic has made this problem more visible. The start-up MealGood has made it its mission to counter the throwaway mentality by developing bio-based reusable containers for the catering industry.
Parcel logistics: the future belongs to reusable plastic boxes
29/03/2023
Cardboard dominates parcel logistics. Shrinkage and return transport costs have so far been too big hurdles for reusable containers made of plastic, even though there is a lot to be said for them in terms of sustainability. BOOXit overcomes these hurdles – and adds one on top: the reusable system is not only sustainable, but also robot-compatible.
VYTAL: the first digital reusable system for Take Away
27/05/2021
Today, the kitchen stays cold: if you don't feel like cooking, you simply have something delivered. However, the meals often come in disposable packaging that only has a short lifespan. This bothered the founders of VYTAL, who developed a deposit-free reusable system. They prove that plastic and sustainability are not necessarily mutually exclusive.Sustainability
Sustainability is the focus both in the plastics industry and at K in Düsseldorf. We highlight important topics for you such as circular economy, recycling and climate protection.