Interplas 2023 Post Show Report

Interplas 2023 took place over the 26-28 September at the NEC Birmingam, celebrating their 75th year of the show and its forerunners. As one of the UK’s biggest plastics events, it saw over 530 exhibitors presenting on the show floor, and a myriad of interesting talks and panels - several of which featured experts from the BPF.

Viewed by many as a must-attend event in the UK plastics industry calendar, we were thrilled to be able to both represent and see many of our members there. The BPF’s new 2023/2024 Members Directory's were in incredibly high-demand, with around 500 flying off the stand. View the new directory here.

Philip Law, BPF's Director General, said : ''BPF certainly punched its weight at Interplas. The rapidly escalating membership numbers meant that more floorspace was covered by member firms. It was great to see our member attendees  sporting their exclusive new BPF logo badges. We made a great contribution to the adjoining Conference programme with our staff experts leading key panel discussions on Sustainability, Productivity and Re-shoring''.

 

 

 

The BPF’s 90th Celebration

As Interplas was a perfect place to celebrate the BPF’s 90th year, a party was hosted on the BPF stand serving champagne and cake. Lots of our members gathered to hear Philip Law (BPF Directory General) and Nigel Flowers (BPF President) give a short but inspiring speech acknowledging the BPF's accomplishments over the years, as well as goals for the future.

We look forward to celebrating the BPF's 90th even more at the Annual Dinner on the 12th October!

 

75 @ 75

In celebration of Interplas’ 75th year and the plastics industry in general, the show wanted to celebrate certain individuals from the UK plastics community that have been impactful in driving change and innovation. The BPF’s own Stephen Hunt, Justyna Elliott, and Philip Law were all rightly nominated, and celebrated with a photo of all 75 nominees on stage followed by an evening of celebrations. 

In addition to the current staff, a number of ex-BPF staff members were also nominated inlcuding Barry Turners (previously the Director of the BPF's Plastics and Flexible Packaging Group) and our long serving Director-General Peter Davis OBE who was awarded the honour posthumously.  In addition we were pleased to see both BPF President Nigel Flowers and immediate Past President Karen Drinkwater make the list.  Council members Mike Jordan, Stephen Mancey and Carl Reeve were also honoured as well as previous BPF President Ron Marsh.

For the full list of winners see https://interplasuk.com/75-75

 

Talks And Panels

Interplas enforced a world-class conference programme, which presented a wide range of themes and challenges facing the plastics industry such as the latest in recycling, materials, digitalisation, and regulation.

The amazing Brian Lodge – BPF Director of Plastics & Flexible Packaging – shared some interesting insights during a panel on ‘Circularity, resources, and life cycle analysis’ hosted by Geoff Mackey. Philip Law chaired a fascinating conversation about reshoring. The ‘BPF’s Productivity Project’ also held an informative panel discussion, and the Worshipful Company of Horners announced the winners of this year’s Horners Awards (find out the winners here).

 

Interplas 2026

Taking place every three years, we look forward to having the chance to represent our members at the next Interplas.

For more information email Justyna Elliott on: [email protected] 

 

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