Bernd Roegele: “Plastic circularity is an unstoppable reality already underway”

The plastics sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by regulatory pressure, the commitment to a circular economy, and the digitalization of processes. In this context, Bernd Roegele, President of the Organizing Committee of Equiplast 2026, analyzes the current state of an industry moving toward more sustainable, collaborative, and technologically advanced models. All of this will be showcased at Equiplast, the leading trade fair for the sector, which will take place from June 2 to 5 at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue.

How would you describe the current situation in the plastics industry?

We are living through a period of change. Plastics are under strong regulatory and social pressure, but they also represent an open field for innovation. Our industry understands that its future depends on designing more sustainable materials and processes, investing in the circular economy, and communicating the value of plastics as a material essential for manufacturing countless products. What’s interesting is that the transition is already underway: today we see circular solutions that seemed impossible a decade ago.

What progress would you highlight in terms of circularity?

The growing incorporation of recycled plastics into new products demonstrates a real commitment to the circular economy, which is here to stay. At the same time, mechanical and chemical recycling technologies have been developed that allow complex plastics to be recovered with high quality, making it easier to reuse them in value-added applications. Added to this is a strong focus on eco-design—products conceived from the outset to be easy to recycle and reuse—and the promotion of bio-based, biodegradable, or compostable materials, which reduce dependence on fossil raw materials and help lower the sector’s carbon footprint.

What structural challenges does the plastics industry face today?

There are major challenges: technological innovation must remain constant; there is an urgent need to attract young, qualified talent; and the social perception of plastics is still largely negative. On top of that comes efficient raw material management and adaptation to an increasingly demanding regulatory environment. But above all, the biggest challenge is collaboration: no company can tackle the transformation toward sustainability alone. That’s why trade fairs like Equiplast play a key role—providing a space to connect, cooperate, and put solutions into practice.

What role does digitalization play in this green transition?

It is absolutely crucial. Digitalization makes it possible to control and automate all processes for producing, transforming, and recycling plastics, minimize energy consumption, improve traceability, reduce errors, and ensure quality and proper use of recycled materials. Thanks to these tools, factories can be more efficient and productive—in other words, produce “made-to-order” plastics that are sustainable and aligned with real demand.

Do you think the social perception of plastics is changing?

Plastics have been unfairly demonized. And we have a lot of work to do to change that perception. For years, the debate has focused on waste, not on possibilities. Our role as an industry must be to demonstrate with facts that plastics are not the enemy, but a material with a life cycle that, when properly managed, can deliver great value. As I said earlier, the key lies in the circular economy: designing recyclable products, promoting reuse, and investing in mechanical and chemical recycling technologies. In Spain, recycling figures are already significant, showing that the sector is committed. Equiplast will be an opportunity to show that plastics are part of the solution, not the problem.

How is the Spanish plastics industry adapting to new European regulatory requirements, especially regarding recycled plastics and microplastics?

The industry is in an advanced stage of adaptation and has the technology to comply with increasingly strict regulations. It’s a process being carried out responsibly, although not all companies move at the same pace and not all value chains yet have sufficient volumes of traceable recycled material. For recycled plastics, the challenge is scaling up while ensuring quality and traceability; for microplastics, closing operational and control gaps throughout the logistics chain to prevent losses. It’s a process that requires significant effort, but it positions the Spanish plastics industry very well to become more sustainable.

What role does Equiplast play in this context of change?

Equiplast is the meeting point where this entire innovation ecosystem comes to life. At the 2026 edition, we want to present a complete picture of where the plastics industry is heading: more circular, more digital, and more interconnected. We want participating companies and professionals not only to see innovative technologies and materials but also models of collaboration and real commitment to sustainability.

What can we expect from the next edition of the trade fair?

Equiplast has been strengthened: it will feature more than 400 exhibiting companies—a 12% increase compared to 2023—and nearly one-third will come from abroad, reinforcing its international character. In addition, we’ve redesigned spaces for activities with a practical focus: round tables, showcases of sustainable solutions, and technical conferences—all aimed at driving real innovation and applied knowledge.

How is the “Rethinking Plastics” initiative evolving for Equiplast 2026?

It will be consolidated as an open space for knowledge and debate. We want to show, with facts, that plastics can have multiple lives. There will be a showroom of products made with sustainable plastics, from which we’ll select the winners of the “Rethinking Plastics” awards. And as a new feature, we’re introducing a program of conferences on best practices and innovative projects in the sector, among other topics of interest to industry professionals.

Looking ahead, how do you envision the plastics industry in the next decade?

It will be a regenerative industry, where every piece of waste becomes raw material. Innovation will remain the driving force: smart materials, chemical and physical recycling, and processes with a neutral carbon footprint. But there will be another equally important factor: collaboration between companies, technology centers, and public administrations. The future of plastics depends not only on technology but also on a shared vision of sustainability among all stakeholders.

What message would you like to send to professionals in the sector?

Plastics have a future—and that future will be sustainable or it won’t exist. We have both the responsibility and the opportunity to transform their role in industry and society. Equiplast aims to be the space where this transformation becomes visible, where the plastics industry proves it can be a driver of solutions, not part of the problem.

Barcelona, December 2025

More information: https://www.equiplast.com

Photo of Bernd Roegele here
Images of Equiplast 2023 here

Maria Dolores Herranz / Josep Lluís Mérida
Tel. +34 93 233 25 41
mdherranz@firabarcelona.com