The leading event for the value chain of these materials in the Iberian market will expand its offerings and international reach
Equiplast 2026 to Drive the Circularity of Plastics and Rubber
Focusing on innovation and sustainability, Equiplast, the International Meeting for Plastics and Rubber, will return from June 2 to 5, 2026, at the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona. It will bring together the key players in the sector to showcase solutions that reduce the environmental impact of these materials and promote their circularity across various industries. Equiplast, the leading trade show in the Iberian market, will be held concurrently with Expoquimia, the chemical and process industries trade fair.
In 2026, Equiplast aims to expand its offerings and international scope, hosting 400 exhibitors, over 30% of them from outside Spain, to attract more professionals from companies specializing in plastics and rubber transformation and recycling. These companies cater to industries such as packaging, automotive, construction, furniture, and logistics, among many other sectors reliant on these raw materials.
The trade show, trusted by leading firms and organizations in the Iberian market, will showcase at Pavilion 3 of the Gran Via venue a range of products and technologies, including plastic transformation machinery, peripherals, parts and components, molds and dies, raw materials and additives, semi-finished and finished plastic products, as well as environmental and recycling solutions. There will also be equipment for measurement, control, and automation, dedicated hardware and software, industrial and occupational safety services, subcontracting options, and research and technology transfer centers.
The president of the Equiplast 2026 Organizing Committee, Bernd Roegele, commented, “The trade fair will provide an excellent opportunity for companies in plastics and rubber transformation and recycling to incorporate innovations and swiftly adapt their activities to the circular economy model. Furthermore, Equiplast will demonstrate that plastic has countless lives and is part of the solution for achieving a more sustainable environment.”
Rethinking Plastics
One of the main activities of the next edition of Equiplast will be “Rethinking Plastics,” an initiative gaining greater prominence and extending beyond the trade fair itself. It will highlight experiences in responsible production, management, and recycling of plastics and rubber across different industries. This space will feature a showroom of innovative products, showcasing solutions made from 100% recycled plastic, biodegradable materials, or renewable sources, as well as other rubber-related materials applied in various sectors. For the first time, it will also include a program of conferences and networking opportunities, bringing together experts to discuss and share practical cases on circularity, fostering a more sustainable and collaborative industry.
According to Xavier Pascual, Director of Equiplast 2026, “Our mission as a leading trade fair is to drive innovation and circularity in the plastics and rubber industry, offering a highly practical space where companies and professionals can do business, exchange knowledge, and present cutting-edge solutions that transform the sector.”
Co-location with Expoquimia
As is customary, Equiplast will be held simultaneously with Expoquimia, the International Meeting for Chemistry and Process Industries. Expoquimia will showcase innovative and sustainable chemical solutions to improve production processes across various manufacturing sectors. This joint event, featuring over 800 exhibiting companies and nearly 21,000 professional visitors, will create a powerful trade platform, strengthening synergies between the chemical and plastics industries, particularly in the development and transformation of new materials and chemical recycling.
In this context, Equiplast will bring a highly qualified visitor profile with purchasing decision-making power to this dual trade fair. In the last edition held in 2023, 46% of the top 50 plastics transformers and recyclers by revenue in Spain attended the event. One of Equiplast 2026’s goals is to increase international professional attendance by 13%, particularly those linked to plastics and rubber industries.
Additionally, the co-located fairs will share activities such as Engineers Day, a day dedicated to highlighting the role of engineering professionals in the chemical and industrial processes sectors, including plastics, and the Gala Dinner, an exclusive networking event for top-level executives and entrepreneurs from both sectors. Equiplast will also feature an International Program designed to facilitate business meetings between export-oriented exhibitors and international visitors, along with sessions on best practices for implementing showcased solutions and exploring commercial opportunities in selected markets.
Barcelona, December, 16th 2024
Photos (2023 edition) available here
Maria Dolores Herranz
Tel. +34 93 233 25 41
mdherranz@firabarcelona.com