“NPE2027 will be more than just a trade show — it will be a global arena for the breakthroughs shaping the future of plastics,” said Angela Mealy, PLASTICS executive director of NPE. “With ‘Next is Now’ as our theme, we’re spotlighting the momentum already driving our industry forward. From sustainability to advanced manufacturing, this event will bring together the people, ideas, and technologies that are transforming what’s possible. We can’t wait to welcome the world to this next chapter — because Next is Now.”
Held every three years in Orlando, NPE is the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, and one of the most influential gatherings of its kind globally. With NPE2027 on the horizon, this announcement in Düsseldorf set the tone for what attendees can expect: a show that defines trends rather than follows them.
Also at the K Show, PLASTICS released its highly anticipated Global Trends Report, providing exclusive insights into the forces influencing plastics financial markets around the world. The report provides a uniquely comprehensive account of U.S. plastics exports and imports worldwide in each of the four categories of the plastics industry — resin, products, machinery and molds — data that is equipping industry leaders with the clarity needed to navigate change and seize new opportunities. In 2024, the United States emerged as the world’s largest market for plastics equipment, a position it is expected to maintain through NPE2027.
“The Global Trends Report offers a timely and in-depth look at the economic and policy forces shaping the plastics industry worldwide,” said PLASTICS chief economist Perc Pineda. “As global markets evolve, data-driven insights like these help businesses anticipate change, strengthen their competitiveness, and contribute to a more resilient and innovative plastics sector.”
K Show 2025 served as a critical international platform — not only to share these insights but to align with global peers, foster meaningful dialogue and spark collaborations that will shape the next decade of plastics innovation.
Now, with renewed energy and focus, PLASTICS is charging ahead. We’re working hand in hand with exhibitors, thought leaders, and international partners to make NPE2027 the most impactful edition yet. With more than 2,200 exhibiting companies and 51,000+ attendees expected, the triennial show will showcase the full power and potential of plastics, bringing together leaders from more than 130 countries to advance innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration. Registration for Space Selection and Planning opens on Nov. 10, 2025. The in-person Space Selection and Planning event will take place at the Orange County Convention Center from March 2–6, 2026.
As we look toward May 3–7, 2027, in Orlando, we invite the entire global plastics community to be part of what’s next. Because when it comes to the future of plastics, we’re not waiting for it to arrive — Next is Now.
For more information about NPE2027, visit www.npe.org. To access the Executive Summary and full Global Trends Report, visit www.plasticsindustry.org/data-analysis-reports/global-trends/.
