Oct 17, 2025
Successful Trade Fair Appearance of ILK and ANYBRID at K 2025
With numerous technical discussions, new contacts, and a strong response to the presented projects, the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden draws a positive conclusion from its participation in K 2025 in Düsseldorf. Under the motto The Power of Plastics – Green, Smart, Responsible, the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, held from October 8 to 15, showcased the full spectrum of the sector and provided a stage for plastics, science, and innovation.
Exhibit of the MM4R project at K 2025.
Despite the currently challenging economic conditions, the Science Campus, where research and industry come together, was well attended throughout the entire fair. ILK impressed visitors with a diverse exhibition program focusing on future-oriented topics such as sustainability, resource efficiency, and digitalization. The research projects WI-IN, EuReCOMP, and MM4R were particularly highlighted, demonstrating ways to implement resource-efficient and circular approaches in plastics processing and lightweight engineering.
Dr. Robert Kupfer in conversation at K 2025.
The DigiKunst project, in which visitors could virtually experience the operation of an injection molding machine using VR glasses, gave attendees the opportunity to explore the technology directly on site. Many industry professionals used this chance to discuss the potential of the digital twin in practical applications, making it a tangible example of the connection between research, training, and industrial practice.
Furthermore, the joint presentation by ILK and ANYBRID provided space for numerous discussions about future collaborations, transfer projects, and partnerships. The presence of Prof. Maik Gude, Director of ILK, on October 13 was also well received, allowing visitors to exchange ideas on current developments in lightweight engineering and new perspectives for industrial cooperation.
ILK and ANYBRID booth at K 2025 in Düsseldorf.
With around 175,000 visitors and more than 3,200 exhibitors from 66 nations, K 2025 once again confirmed its role as an international meeting place and driver of innovation in the plastics industry. The ILK team looks back on a successful week at the fair and looks forward to converting the contacts gained into new collaborative projects. Through their trade fair appearance, ILK and ANYBRID demonstrated how research and industry together implement the guiding principle of K 2025, The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible, in practice. Sustainable materials, digital processes, and responsible technologies are at the core of their development work. ILK thanks the organizers of K 2025 for the excellent event management as well as all visitors, partners, and interested parties who contributed to the exchange on site.
For further information about the trade fair appearance, please contact:
© F. Lehmann
Saskia Trute
Communication
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Visiting address:
Technische Universität Dresden
Institut für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik / UTC Dresden, Floor 2, Room 259
Holbeinstr. 3
01307 Dresden