Plastics Recycling Show Europe draws over 13,000 attendees for first time in its nine-year history

The Plastics Recycling Show Europe shattered records in Amsterdam with over 500 exhibitors, more than 75 expert speakers, and an all-time high of 13,325 attendees over the two days.

“The positive vibe in the magnificent flagship Halls 1 & 5 of the RAI was absolutely tangible this year,” says Matt Barber, Global Events Director at Crain Communications. “Even though we knew going into PRS Europe that it has been a difficult time for some players in the plastics recycling sector, the excitement and optimism at the show have been palpable. The halls were buzzing with the exchange of ideas and business being done, and there was a confidence that the wealth of innovations on show will catalyse further growth in the circular use of plastic.”

“Anyone interested in plastics recycling, whether from politics, science, academia, or active players like brand owners, converters, producers or recyclers, should come to this show, which is now firmly established as the largest in the world,” says Ton Emans, Plastics Recyclers Europe President. “We have brought together leading experts in the two conference theatres and exhibitors with world-class innovations to improve the plastics recycling value chain.” Conference speaker Timo Unger, Senior Manager Sustainability & Environmental Affairs, Hyundai said at the show: “I'm totally impressed. I didn't expect so many experts, so many interested people, such a huge amount of new technology. It’s a great event and I really appreciate it.”

“PRSE is really important because sentiment is maybe a bit negative at the moment in the industry, but when you are walking here among the exhibits, you see a lot of innovation, a lot of good companies and a really positive vibe,” added Gerben Hieminga, Senior Economist, ING. “It brings in people like myself, the techno optimists. We can solve these problems, but we really have to start making the business cases and scale up the solutions.”

Charlotte Röber, Managing Director of VinylPlus commented during her visit: “I've been here multiple times already, the show keeps growing from year to year, which also makes it more relevant. It's not only relevant from a business point of view, but you can really also get a sense of what's going on in the market right now and what concerns people from a regulatory perspective. I think if you spend one or two days here, you're really up to speed on what recycling plastics in Europe is concerned.”

Alberto Piovesan, Global Segment Director- Plastics at exhibitor TOMRA summed the event up by saying: “PRSE is the show to be at when you are talking about recycling in Europe and you just must be here to meet the people, to meet customers and to engage in all the interesting conversations. Together we're moving recycling forward, bringing these new technologies and making it happen in the field.”

Former Plastics Recycling Ambassador Willemijn Peeters, CEO & Founder of Searious Business, returned to the event saying: “PRSE enables me to get in touch with people, talk to them live, hear about their works, their concerns and their needs and make sure that they can jump on board of any projects that we have running or in the pipeline. It's very exciting opportunity to meet people who are like-minded and also want to help close the loop in plastic.”

The Plastics Recycling Show Europe brings together key players from the plastics and recycling sectors to showcase innovative technology, share best practices, network and do business. Every part of the circular plastics value chain is represented at the event, including plastics recycling machinery and equipment suppliers, AI-powered sorting technology, plastic material suppliers and compounders, pre-processors, mechanical and chemical plastics recyclers, waste management specialists and industry associations.

Plastics Recycling Show Europe returns to Halls 1 and 5 at RAI Amsterdam from 5-6 May 2026. Plastics Recycling Shows are now being held in four global locations: Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore and Mumbai.

This article was originally published by PRS Europe.