Special supplement: Chinaplas 2008 kicks off Thursday in Shanghai

Chinaplas 2008, the 22nd International Exhibition of the Plastics and Rubber Industries, will return to China's commercial hub when it opens at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from April 17 to 20.

The show is set to surpass its previous record as it reaches 134,500 sq m of exhibition space.

More than 1,700 international exhibitors from over 35 countries and regions will display 1,800 pieces of advanced machinery and a wide array of chemicals and raw materials.

Pavilions from Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, Britain and the United States as well as China's Taiwan province will demonstrate flagship products designed for industries that include automotive, packaging, building and construction, electronic and electrical appliances, IT and telecommunications, plastics and rubber.

The organizer Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd says that more than 30 overseas delegations from various countries and regions are expected to visit the mega show.

A number of local trade associations will also send representatives. In all, the expo is expected to attract more than 63,000 visitors.

To celebrate Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympics in August, organizers plan to incorporate sports elements into the show.

A series of concurrent activities under the theme of "Innovative Plastics and Rubber, Sports without Limit" is organized.

These activities include product displays, sports performances and interactive games such as table tennis, mini-football and mini-golf that illustrate the wide range of variations in plastics and rubber that can be used in the sports industry.

Expected to be a highlight of the show of this year, the activities will offer visitors first-hand experience of how new concepts can help athletes better reach their potential and extend the limits of physical achievement.

Adsale will join forces with the China Plastics Processing Industry Association and the Society of Plastics Industry Inc in a "China-US Plastics Industry Summit" that starts tomorrow.

Experts who will give talks include Liao Zhengpin, chairman of China Plastics Processing Industry Association (CPPIA), Lin Dongliang, chairman of Waste Plastics Recycling Committee of China Plastics Processing Industry Association, Neil Pratt from the Society of Plastics Industry and David Gossack, principal commercial officer at the US Consulate in Shanghai. The summit will provide a full assessment of Sino-US market trends and exploration of bilateral trade opportunities.

Chinaplas 2008 will be the 19th consecutive edition to have the support of the European Committee of Machinery Manufacturers for the Plastics and Rubber Industries as the exclusive sponsor in China.

It is organized by Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd, in conjunction with the China National Light Industry Council-China Plastics Processing Industry Association, China Plastic Machine Industry Association, Shanghai Society of Plastics Industry, International Trade Promotion Corp, Beijing Yazhan Exhibition Services Ltd, Messe Dsseldorf China Ltd and the Shanghai Association of Die and Mould.

The fair is also supported by overseas and Chinese trade associations in the plastics and rubber industries.

Chinaplas 2008 is open for trade visitors only. Admission fee is 20 yuan for April 17 and 18 and free for April 19 and 20. Trade visitors who pre-register online at www.ChinaplasOnline.com will enjoy free admission during the duration of the show period, special privileges and a free copy of the show catalog.

(China Daily 04/15/2008 page16)