Reusable instead of disposable: Messe Düsseldorf and Borealis launch sustainable cup system at K 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.

As the world's leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, K 2025 is predestined for the introduction of innovative sustainability projects. For the first time, all catering areas at the trade fair will be converted to reusable cups. These are made of a high-performance, foamable polypropylene that Borealis has developed specifically for this use – lightweight, recyclable and durable.

Peter Voortmans, Vice President Marketing Consumer Products at Borealis, emphasizes the strategic importance of the initiative: "Reuse systems are key to making large-scale events more sustainable, and our polypropylene solutions for foam support this by enabling lightweight, durable, and fully recyclable applications that use less material than conventional alternatives."

The material used is based on ReOil®, a chemical recycling technology developed by OMV in which used plastics are converted into raw materials for new plastic products. The raw materials are extracted at the OMV refinery in Schwechat, Austria.

Maximilian Grasserbauer, Senior Vice President Circular Economy at OMV, explains: "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."

This technology makes it possible to produce high-quality materials that also meet demanding sustainability targets – for example within the framework of the EU packaging regulation (PPWR).

During the trade fair, the cups are issued deposit-free. They can be returned to collection stations or service points – or the cups can be taken home. The logistics are designed so that cups can be rinsed and reused on site. Cups that are not used after the trade fair are donated and those that are disposed of are recycled by Borealis.

The recyclability of the cups is not only reflected in their reusability, but also in other advantages:

• low material consumption
• Reduced CO₂ footprint
• complete recyclability

The project is being realized in collaboration with leading technology partners:

• Arburg: injection molding machines and turnkey solutions
• Bockatech: EcoCore® technology for foam processing
• MCC Global IML: In-mold labeling for injection molding
• Miko Pac: Plastic packaging solutions

The initiative is an example of how players along the value chain can work together to develop sustainable solutions.

Thomas Franken, Director K, Portfolio Plastics and Rubber at Messe Düsseldorf, sums up the motivation:

In addition to the ecological goals, the initiative will also be used to collect data. Messe Düsseldorf is analyzing usage behavior and evaluating how many cups are used, returned and recycled – a model for future events.