News

• From September 23 to 27, at Corferias, the plastics, rubber, petrochemical, packaging and container industries in Colombia and the region will meet to showcase the latest advances and solutions in these sectors.
• Colombia is making steady progress on its path towards a circular economy, with a 30% increase in the plastic recycling rate over the past five years.
• The fair will feature the participation of nearly 300 exhibitors, including international representatives from countries such as Germany, Austria, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the USA, Vietnam, Argentina, Ecuador, among others.
• ColombiaPlast is made possible by Acoplásticos, Messe Düsseldorf North America and the International Business and Exhibition Center – Corferias.

Bogotá, September 2024. From September 23 to 27, 2024, Corferias will be the epicenter of the latest technologies and global trends in plastics, packaging, rubber and petrochemicals, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. Colombia, a country committed to sustainability and industrial transformation, is ready to host the 12th edition of ColombiaPlast, the most important event in the plastics sector in the Andean region, Central America and the Caribbean.

The country has made significant steps in its transition towards a more sustainable industry. According to the National Planning Department (DNP), the plastic recycling rate in the country increased by 30% in the last five years, reaching 17% in 2023, driven by circular economy initiatives and the growing business commitment to sustainability. This approach will be one of the central axes of the fair, which will bring together nearly 300 exhibitors from countries such as Germany, Brazil, China, Italy and the United States, among others.

Daniel Mitchell, CEO of Acoplásticos, highlights: “ColombiaPlast is a strategic space for the advancement of the petrochemical-plastic sector in Colombia. The technologies and solutions presented at this fair allow local companies to remain competitive and aligned with global demands for sustainability and productive efficiency.”

Key innovations in circular economy and digitalisation

At ColombiaPlast, essential topics for the transformation of the industry will be addressed, such as the circular economy and industry 4.0, areas where the country is already taking the lead in the region. In fact, it has implemented policies that promote the use of recycled plastics and has encouraged the development of cleaner and more efficient manufacturing technologies.

In this regard, Procolombia estimates that, in the last year, exports of plastic products with recycled components grew by 15%, with markets such as Ecuador, Peru and Mexico standing out.

3DFest, one of the most anticipated areas of the fair, will provide an immersive experience where the most advanced applications of 3D printing will be showcased in sectors such as automotive, medicine and construction. This technology has gained ground in the country, with a 20% growth in its adoption in various industries since 2021, according to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

Colombia towards a more responsible plastics industry

In order to continue positioning the country on the path of sustainability, the National Recycling Program has facilitated the creation of public-private alliances that support inclusive recycling projects, promoting greater recovery of post-consumer plastics and encouraging the use of recycled materials in the manufacture of new products.

In this regard, ColombiaPlast will have the GoPlastic zone, a space dedicated to solutions that promote circularity and the reduction of environmental impact in the production and consumption of plastics.

The event's academic agenda will include more than 50 conferences and workshops where national and international experts will discuss how to achieve more sustainable and competitive plastic production. Speakers will include prominent figures such as Dr. Eng. Laura Fernanda Flórez Sastre and Mag. Silvio Ospina, who will share perspectives on the digitalization of processes and emerging technologies in plastic waste management.

Key data on the plastics industry in Colombia

• 30% increase in plastic recycling rate between 2018 and 2023.
• 15% increase in exports of recycled plastic products in the last year.
• 20% growth in the adoption of 3D printing technologies since 2021.
• The plastics sector in Colombia generates more than 100,000 direct jobs, according to Acoplásticos.

About ColombiaPlast

ColombiaPlast will not only be a space for exhibiting the latest trends, but also for strengthening strategic alliances that boost the competitiveness of the industry in the region, in a context of growing demand for more sustainable and responsible practices.

For more information, visit https://www.colombiaplast.org/es .