With 400 exhibiting companies (+15%) and a new congress addressing sustainability, innovation and digitalisation in the sector
Equiplast drives the transformation of plastics with a focus on the circular economy
After 40 years of trajectory, Equiplast is reinforcing its position as a leading platform for the plastics industry at a time of profound transformation. Organised by Fira de Barcelona, the event will take place from 2 to 5 June 2026 alongside Expoquimia, bringing together around 400 exhibiting companies from 18 countries—an increase of 15% on the previous edition—and expanding its offering with a congress programme focused on circularity, recycling, advanced materials and digitalisation.
Hall 3 of the Gran Via venue will showcase extrusion and plastics processing machinery, automation systems and equipment, raw materials and additives, peripherals, parts and components, as well as a strong presence of the mould and die sector. Environmental and recycling solutions will also play a key role in the commercial offer, alongside software applications, semi-finished products and specialised services, highlighting the sector’s ongoing technological and sustainable evolution.
Exhibitors include companies such as AGI, Alimatic, Albis, Ar Sistemas, Arburg, Bada, BMB, Centrotécnica, Comercial Douma, Coscollola, Engel, Epsan, Gravipes, Guztec Polymers, Haitian Iberica, Hasco, Husyca, Hydropyc, Imvolca, Mecasonic, Mircan, Negribossi, Netstal, Pena Grup, Promak Solutions, Protecnic, Raorsa, Tecnopol Snetor, Ultrapolymers, Unnox Group, WTS-Wapf Technological Solutions, Wittmann and Wursi Group.
Strong international outlook
Equiplast’s international dimension continues to grow. Nearly one third of participating companies will come from abroad, underlining the event’s appeal to machinery manufacturers, converters and industrial solution providers specialising in plastics and rubber. Key countries represented include China, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Türkiye, France and the Netherlands.
The 2026 edition will further strengthen this international reach through its hosted buyers programme, developed in collaboration with ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, which will attract professionals from Türkiye, Algeria, Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala with specific investment projects.
Rethinking plastic
At a time when the sector faces major challenges in reconciling industrial functionality with sustainability, Equiplast is placing the spotlight on the development of more responsible solutions.
In this context, the show will present a report on the plastics industry in Spain, positioning the sector as a key economic pillar, with a turnover of close to €29 billion—equivalent to 2% of national GDP—and more than 107,000 direct jobs. The report also highlights aggregate growth of 17.9% in recent years and Spain’s leading position in recycling capacity within Europe.
Against this backdrop, show president Bernd Roegele comments: “Plastics are under strong regulatory and social pressure, but they also offer a vast field for innovation. The future lies in designing more sustainable materials and processes, investing in the circular economy and better communicating the value of plastics as an essential material across multiple industries.”
Show director Xavier Pascual adds: “Equiplast reflects the transformation underway in the industry and serves as a key platform to connect innovation, business and knowledge around sustainability and competitiveness.”
Fully aligned with these challenges, one of the main new features will be the launch of the Rethinking Plastic congress, running over the four days of the show with around 50 sessions and 100 speakers. The programme will be structured around four major themes: circular economy, recycling, advanced materials and digitalisation, showcasing real-world case studies and best practices from companies using plastic solutions.
The opening day will focus on sustainability and the circular economy, with sessions covering packaging reuse, waste recovery, industrial symbiosis and the regulatory framework, including topics such as microplastics management and pellet regulations. Participating organisations include the Spanish Plastics Industry Platform (ESPLÁSTICOS), the Spanish Plastics Manufacturers Association (Anaip), PlasticsEurope, the Chemical Business Association of Tarragona (AEQT), the Catalan Waste Cluster (CREC), and companies such as Veolia and Reyde Grupo Armando Álvarez.
Subsequent sessions will address mechanical and chemical recycling, new materials and digitalisation as a driver of competitiveness, with contributions from organisations such as AIMPLAS, the Gaiker Foundation, ANARPLA, Eurecat, Indresmat and the Spanish Plastics Centre (CEP), among others.
The Rethinking Plastic area will also feature an exhibition of products made from sustainable, recycled or renewable plastics, along with a dedicated networking space designed to foster knowledge exchange and business opportunities. The showcase will include around ten real-world applications developed by companies and technology centres, demonstrating the potential of circular plastics in sectors such as packaging, construction, mobility and urban design. The most innovative solutions will be recognised with the Rethinking Plastic Award.
Best-practice recognition
Equiplast 2026 will also highlight industry best practices through its Best-in-Class recognition, which this year will be awarded to SEAT & CUPRA for their circular strategy in the production of components using new materials and biopolymers. The award will be presented at the Expoquimia Gala Dinner alongside the Best-in-Class awards in the chemical sector, which this year go to Moeve, L’Oréal Groupe, Lefance and Almirall.
In addition, Equiplast will host the Liderpack Awards ceremony—recognising excellence in packaging and point-of-sale displays—organised by Graphispack Association and the Hispack trade fair, as well as tributes to companies, organisations and professionals for their contribution to the sector.
Finally, the Spanish Plastics Centre (CEP) will organise a series of guided tours around Equiplast, giving visitors the opportunity to discover solutions showcased at exhibitors’ stands related to efficiency and sustainability in machinery and processes, new materials and innovation transfer.
Co-location with Expoquimia
Equiplast will once again be held alongside Expoquimia, the International Meeting of Chemistry and Process Industries, further strengthening synergies between the two sectors. This cross-sector offering—linking chemistry, materials and industrial processing—reflects their growing interdependence in areas such as innovation and the circular economy.
Together, the two events will feature 800 exhibitors and are expected to attract around 21,000 professionals, consolidating Barcelona as one of Southern Europe’s leading industrial hubs.
Barcelona, May 2026
Maria Dolores Herranz / Josep Lluís Mérida
Tel. +34 93 233 25 41 – 2114
[email protected]
[email protected]
PRESS ACCREDITATION here
EQUIPLAST 2026 PRESS KIT here
PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES here
PHOTOS (2023 edition) here
EXHIBITOR LIST here