If there was a red thread running through the press conference given by "Chinaplas" (www.chinaplasonline.com) organiser Adsale (Hong Kong / China; www.adsale.com.hk) ahead of the mega-fair’s opening today, it was the number three. The Shanghai-based fair, which will run until 28 April, celebrates its 30th edition this year. More than 3,300 exhibitors are showcasing their goods at the event, which features more than 3,800 different machinery units, about half of them made in China. If there is still any doubt about the prominence of the number three – considered a lucky number in China – 30% of the more than 140,000 visitors expected to attend this year’s fair will likely come from abroad. In addition, although the total exhibition area exceeds 240,000 m², a lack of space forced the organiser to deny requests for another 30,000 m² of space. The latter is the only indication that the luck associated with the number three might have failed some. On the positive side, however, 13% of exhibitors to this year’s fair are newcomers.

The lucky number also reappeared in the logo designed for this special anniversary edition. Consisting of three circles, ranging from small and incomplete to a full one, it symbolises the evolution of the fair, Adsale said, adding that the top circle stands for sustainable development and increased recycling technology – coming full circle in plastics. Using the anniversary to reflect on the fair’s development since its first edition in 1983 – yet another time the lucky number made an appearance – Adsale chairman Stanley Chu emphasised that Chinaplas’ success is intimately tied to China’s “Open Door Policy” and the economic reforms introduced in the 1970s, which spurred high growth rates not just in the country but also for the fair. What sets Chinaplas apart from other events in Asia especially, Chu said, is that it covers all industries, specifically the high-growth ones of automotive, E&E and medical technology.

But it was not just domestic developments that helped Chinaplas grow over the years into the leading plastics event in Asia and the second most important one globally. In 2005, Adsale entered into a partnership with Messe Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf / Germany; www.messe-duesseldorf.com), the organiser of the triannual “K” fair (www.k-online.de) – considered the leading plastics event, and due to take place again in October this year (for most recent coverage, see Plasteurope.com of 08.04.2016). The alliance not only helped in terms of organisation, it also drew more visitors to Chinaplas, which is held each year but alternates between Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Even before the marriage with Düsseldorf, Chinaplas collaborated with Euromap (Frankfurt / Germany; www.euromap.org), the European plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers association. There is no denying that Chinaplas has seen impressive growth since its foundation. Adsale general manager Ada Leung pointed out that the debut fair, held in 1983, measured just 2,000 m², occupied by 100 exhibitors. The event that opens its doors today is expected to draw visitors from more than 150 different countries, and the number of exhibitors has risen by 4% over 2015.

In the Chemicals and Raw Materials Zone alone, more than 1,000 companies will be putting their portfolio on display. More than 40 new technology products will be launched at Chinaplas, Leung said, adding that there will be a number of accompanying events, including open forums, the Design & Innovation event, the Industry 4.0 Conference as well as the "Medical Plastics Conference", which Plasteurope.com co-organised.

For the first time, Chinaplas will include a special section dedicated to recycling technology. The latter is in line with the overall fair motto “Greenovation for a smart future” and the focus, which Adsale has adopted a number of years ago already, that China needs to focus on smarter production and upgrading its own industry. These requirements are also set out in the country’s latest Five Year Plan – the 13th and thus another time the number three appears. Looking ahead to the future, Chu said that the fair’s development will always remain intimately linked to the economic structure of China. Both the latest macro-economic plan, and the “Made in China 2025” initiative (see Plasteurope.com of 09.03.2016), address the fact that China today is no longer a low-production cost country, both manufacturing costs and salaries are rising and the population is aging. Against this backdrop, Chu said, the focus today is more on automation, high-quality production and environmentally-friendly production methods.

While there is no denying that the quality of products made in China is still inferior to that of goods manufactured in Europe and Japan, for example, Chu said the country is clearly catching up. In three years’ time, China’s GDP could exceed that of the US, he added. And Chinaplas reflects that growth. At this year’s fair, the lack of room has resulted in about 40,000 m² of exhibition space being added in the form of tents, placed in the courtyard of the exhibition grounds. This might merit a move to the new exhibition hall in Shanghai, a move that Adsale has been mulling but has so far refused to take for the site’s shortcomings with regard to machinery exhibits as well as logistical difficulties. With the next Chinaplas due to take place in Guangzhou, it remains to be seen where the 2018 Shanghai fair will take place. That being said, Chu emphasised that it is not the goal of Chinaplas to become the largest show in the world, but to focus on innovation.

When asked about his most satisfying experience during the last 30 Chinaplas editions, Chu said he feels happiest when exhibitors and visitors express their satisfaction with the event. Judging from the experience of the past 30 editions, and the fair’s steady growth, Chinaplas 2016 promises to bring success to both exhibitors and visitors. For the first time, Plasteurope.com will also have a booth at this year’s fair. Do come and visit us and our colleagues from KI – Kunststoff Information and K-PROFI at E1-B55 in the German Pavilion.