Austria’s Powerful Performance at International Plastics Showcase NPE 2009

Despite challenging economic times, Austrian plastics companies showed a strong presence at the National Plastics Exposition NPE 2009 held in Chicago in June. At the Austrian Pavilion fourteen companies presented their products and innovative technologies ranging from recycling plants, shredders, injection molds, processing machinery, extrusion tools, plastic sheets and films to measuring devices. In addition,  three companies were represented at the Austrian Trade Commission information desk as part of a catalog exhibit. Throughout McCormick Place, there was an Austrian company on almost every corner. Austria was one of only ten countries with a group exhibit.

During the exposition the European plastics industry and Austria as a business location were highlighted at a presentation in one of the 1,000 workshops. Representatives of the Austrian Plastics Cluster and the Upper Austrian Innovation and Marketing Agency gave an industry update and explained how U.S. companies can benefit from working with Austrian manufacturers.

With 44,000 visitors from 101 countries, trade show attendance at NPE 2009 was 30% lower than three years ago; however, the majority of the 1,851 exhibitors were pleased with the high quality of the buyers and decision makers. Trends observed at this year’s show were sustainability, bioplastics and energy-efficient and cost-reducing solutions for the plastics industry.