Circular plastic takes shape in a real-life exhibition at Equiplast

Urban benches made from recycled plastics and cartons, planters made from post-consumer waste, electrical protection devices made from thermoplastic materials from chemical recycling or packaging made from agricultural waste are some of the solutions that can be seen at an exhibition on circular plastic during Equiplast. With this, the Fira de Barcelona show aims to demonstrate that plastic has many lives and plays a key role in promoting a truly circular economy.

Equiplast will present a selection of ten real applications that highlight the potential of recycled, recyclable or renewably sourced plastic. Integrated into the show’s Rethinking Plastic space, the exhibition will bring together prototypes and solutions developed by companies and technology centres that confirm that plastic waste can be transformed into new products for industry, the city and consumption.

The exhibition can be visited from 2 to 5 June at the Gran Via exhibition centre and includes initiatives that cover the entire life cycle of the material from the recovery of agricultural or post-consumer waste to its conversion into high value-added products, comparable in performance to conventional plastic materials. Packaging, building, logistics, mobility and urban design are some of the sectors that use this circular plastic.

Among the proposals is an installation by Aimplas that graphically recreates the process of recovering agricultural waste from olive groves and vineyards. Shaped like a barrel, the project allows the complete route of this waste – vine shoots or skins – to be followed from its use as a raw material to its transformation into final products such as boxes, caps or coasters, demonstrating the industrial viability of the process.

In the field of advanced recycled materials, Fych Technologies will exhibit a recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) obtained through a proprietary decontamination process. This material offers sufficient performance for highly demanding blown film applications and is suitable for food contact, according to migration tests carried out.

Real applications for the city and industry

The exhibition also includes applications designed for urban and architectural environments. Citysens will present Motus, its biophilic system of self-watering planters made of 100% recycled plastic from post-consumer waste, suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Circular street furniture will play a prominent role with the proposals of Hoc and Unnom: modular benches made entirely from recycled plastics – including materials from tetrabriks – designed to facilitate their assembly, repair and reuse.

In construction, Indresmat will show its carpentry and insulation system based on Klima Pur foams, developed with low environmental impact formulations. These solutions combine bio-based materials and energy-efficient processes to improve the thermal and acoustic insulation of buildings.

Solutions for logistics, packaging and mobility

Logistics and packaging, large consumers of plastic, will also be represented. Inka Palet will present pallets made from 100% recycled material, suitable for high-demand applications, while Enplast will exhibit an industrial three-layer drum that incorporates 50% post-consumer recycled material without losing technical performance.

The exhibition is completed with a battery module developed by Radicigroup under eco-design principles, which integrates partially recycled polyamide with fibreglass. Lati, for its part, will participate with engineering thermoplastic materials for electrical protection devices obtained through chemical recycling, with performance equivalent to virgin plastic.

Overall, the exhibition highlights the sector’s ability to move towards a circular economy based on innovation, traceability and the reuse of materials. Also during the show, Equiplast will also present the Rethinking Plastic Awards to the three most innovative solutions on display.

The Rethinking Plastic space is completed with a large networking area and, as a novelty, a congress with nearly 50 sessions that will bring together around one hundred speakers to discuss the great challenges of the plastics industry.

Showcase for innovation in plastics

Equiplast will bring together 400 exhibitors from 16 countries, 12% more than in the previous edition, consolidating its position as the benchmark event for the plastics sector in the Iberian market and one of the main events in southern Europe. The offer includes extrusion and transformation machinery, automation, raw materials, recycling solutions, environment, software and specialized services.

The show will once again be held in conjunction with Expoquimia, the meeting of chemistry and process industries. Together, both events will have 800 exhibitors and are expected to attract around 21,000 professionals, strengthening collaboration between industries to develop more sustainable materials and processes.

Barcelona, 14 May, 2026

PRESS BADGES FOR EQUIPLAST HERE  

Maria Dolores Herranz / Josep Lluís Mérida
Tel. 932 332 541 – 114
[email protected]
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