Exploring Europe, Connecting the World – Topcentral® Joins National Delegation at K 2025 to Drive Industrial Innovation with a Global Vision

October 8–15, 2025 — The 23rd K Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, one of the world’s largest exhibitions for the plastics and rubber industry, successfully concluded at the Messe Düsseldorf Exhibition Center. This year’s event gathered over 3,200 exhibitors from 66 countries and regions across more than 177,000 square meters of exhibition space. From high-performance machinery and advanced materials to solutions for circular economy and climate protection, the show presented a comprehensive vision of the future of the global plastics and rubber industry.

As the exhibition concluded, a significant strategic mission representing China’s leading level in the plastics recycling sector also came to a successful end in Europe. Organized by the China Plastics Processing Industry Association, the delegation on plastics recycling in Europe brought together top domestic leaders in recycling, renewable resources, and environmental equipment. Mr. Ma Yiming, Founder and CEO of Ningbo Topcentral New Material Co., Ltd., participated as a core member throughout this high-level initiative — not only as an opportunity to learn, but also as a strategic journey to align the company’s future direction and strengthen its global connections.

K 2025: The Global Stage for Material Innovation

The K Fair, held every three years in Düsseldorf, is regarded as the “Olympics of the Plastics Industry.” It serves as a first-hand window into global technological trends and market movements.

For Topcentral® and the Chinese delegation, K 2025 was a strategic intelligence hub — a place to observe, learn, and collaborate. It offered an all-encompassing overview of cutting-edge materials, machinery, recycling technologies, and innovations from across the world. From intelligent sorting systems and chemical recycling to biodegradable materials and circular design, the exhibition presented a full panorama of the circular economy in plastics, offering valuable insights into the future of the next decade.

European Insights: Decoding the Success of the Circular Economy

As the rule-setter and pioneer of the global circular economy, Europe’s experience holds tremendous value for China, which is undergoing a critical industrial transformation. This study tour aimed to deeply “decode” the European model of success.

The EU Plastic Strategy and mandatory recycled content targets have provided clear guidance and strong momentum for industry development. Europe leads the world in areas such as NIR (Near-Infrared) sorting technology, chemical recycling (depolymerizing plastics back into monomers), and food-grade recycled plastics (rPET). With a well-developed recycling infrastructure and strong industry collaboration, Europe continues to serve as a benchmark and source of inspiration for China’s recycling advancement.

China’s Transformation: Challenges and Topcentral®’s Mission

China’s plastics recycling industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Since the 2017 “National Sword” policy, the country has shifted from importing foreign waste to building an independent, high-quality domestic recycling system. Between 2018 and 2023, global plastic production increased from 370 million tons to 414 million tons — with China’s production rising by 33% and consumption by 35%. This growth stems from both domestic and export demand, reinforced by a clear national strategic vision.

However, challenges remain — including the need for a comprehensive recycling system and breakthroughs in high-value applications. This European expedition was designed to accelerate China’s transition by learning from advanced markets. As a representative of China’s sustainable polymer innovation, Topcentral® bears a dual responsibility: addressing its own development goals while contributing to the broader advancement of China’s materials industry.

Field Engagement: Dialogue and Co-creation with Global Industry Leaders

Beyond exhibition visits, the delegation conducted targeted field studies across Europe. The team visited world-class companies such as Sesotec (Germany) — a leader in intelligent sorting systems, KraussMaffei — a global pioneer in polymer machinery, and Kingfa Group Europe.

In these visits, discussions covered key topics such as intelligent sorting technologies, industrialization of recycling, and high-end recycled pellet production equipment. These in-depth exchanges laid a solid foundation for future collaborations — from introducing advanced equipment and co-developing solutions tailored for the Chinese market, to deepening global technology partnerships.

The journey was not only about exploration but also about empowerment. During the exchanges, Topcentral® showcased its achievements in sustainable polymer materials, particularly in high-value recycled plastics and their industrial applications. These interactions have opened new paths for global cooperation — in material exports, technology licensing, and investment partnerships — marking a shift from “China’s leadership” to “global participation.”

Strategic Value and Future Outlook

This European study tour was a milestone strategic investment for Topcentral®. It delivered not only the latest technical knowledge and market insights but also a tangible understanding of global circular economy dynamics. The experience will play a pivotal role in enhancing Topcentral®’s international competitiveness and refining its long-term technological and market strategies.

Topcentral® has brought back a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from Europe’s frontiers of sustainability. Moving forward, the company will integrate advanced European concepts, technological frameworks, and collaboration models with China’s growing market potential. By merging global vision with local innovation, Topcentral® continues to drive the sustainable transformation of materials for a better, cleaner, and more circular world.