Young technology companies present their innovations for the plastics and rubber industry

K 2025 Start-up Zone:

• For the second time, start-ups with innovative ideas will have their own exhibition space at the world's leading trade fair in Düsseldorf
• From AI to analytics to the circular economy – a brief profile of the companies in the Start-up Zone

Technology start-ups that develop tailor-made solutions for acute challenges in the plastics and rubber industry often impress with their innovative strength. This year, creative young companies will once again have the opportunity to present their ideas and solutions to decision-makers from the global plastics and rubber industry and expand their network at K 2025 in Düsseldorf from 8 to 15 October 2025.

The centrepiece is once again the Start-up Zone – a special area within the trade fair that is specifically tailored to the needs of young technology companies. With 20 exhibitors, the space in Hall 7 is fully booked. The participating companies are dedicated to a wide range of topics such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, resource conservation, bioplastics, digitally supported production and the circular economy – offering concrete answers to pressing questions facing the industry.

A special highlight is the Start-up Pitch, which will take place on Monday, 13 October 2025, on the stage of the K special show ‘Plastics shape the future’, organized by Plastics Europe Germany and Messe Düsseldorf in Hall 6. Here, selected start-ups will have the opportunity to present their business models and technologies in short presentations to an audience and potential partners – a stage for fresh ideas, new impulses and direct exchange.

From AI to analytics to the circular economy – a brief profile of the companies in the start-up zone

be2morrow

be2morrow supports companies in developing and implementing effective climate strategies through intelligent software solutions. The platform covers the entire process – from CO2 footprint accounting and intelligent planning of measures to optimised reporting. b2morrow's tools are designed for efficiency and compliance, helping companies navigate the path to decarbonisation with clarity, structure and measurable impact. This makes sustainability manageable and achievable.

Eco2Grow GmbH

ECO2GROW has set itself the goal of helping SMEs master the age of renewable energy. Thanks to its holistic, AI-supported energy platform, companies can now not only access green electricity via power purchase agreements (PPAs), but also automate and optimise their electricity procurement via an energy autopilot. ECO2GROW sees its mission as driving forward the energy transition, maintaining Germany as a production location and promoting the decarbonisation of the German economy.

Emerging Motif

Emerging Motif offers technical and regulatory expertise in the areas of sustainability, circular economy, recyclability testing and product safety. The company supports the chemical industry and its downstream sectors – including plastics, packaging, adhesives, coatings, sealants, elastomers and consumer goods – with comprehensive expertise in driving innovation and meeting regulatory requirements.

ERANOVA SAS

ERANOVA is a French company that transforms green algae into bio-based, recyclable resins. The patented process binds CO₂ and delivers resins for extrusion, injection moulding and thermoforming in rigid or flexible formats. These resins improve the environmental impact of finished products compared to fossil-based, recycled or paper-based options. By cultivating its own algae, ERANOVA ensures a secure supply of raw materials without using agricultural land.

HYPPOS A.I SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

Hyppos A.I Software Solutions is a deep tech start-up that develops AI-driven solutions for the chemical process industry. Leveraging the industry expertise of Hyperion Systems Engineering Ltd. and early traction, Hyppos aims to

modernise chemical production with real-time data, predictive analytics and scalable digital tools for smarter, more sustainable operations.

iDOO GmbH

Data-driven solutions for industrial excellence: iDOO is revolutionising plastic extrusion by transforming industrial data into actionable insights. iDOO's intelligent digital solutions sustainably improve quality, increase transparency and boost efficiency. As a corporate start-up of CiTEX Holding, iDOO combines decades of industry expertise with modern platforms, intelligent data services and agile development to create measurable value in extrusion.

Jade Chemical S.L.

Jade Chemical S.L., based in Madrid, Spain, specialises in bismaleimide (BMI) and a wide range of high-performance resins. Its products are widely used in composites, electronics, rubber, engineering plastics, ABS and other applications. Jade Chemical strives to provide its European customers with high-quality products and technical support, as well as tailor-made solutions for specific customer requirements.

KUORI GmbH

KUORI, a Swiss cleantech start-up, develops bio-based, biodegradable and recyclable elastic materials from food by-products such as olive pits and walnut shells. KUORI's alternatives function like conventional plastics, integrate seamlessly into existing processes and enable a circular future without fossils, microplastics and with less CO₂. Supported by the EU's Horizon programme and named ‘Renewable Material of the Year 2023’, the company is now transforming industries from outdoor to automotive to meet growing sustainability demands.

Maintastic GmbH

Maintastic GmbH is revolutionising the industrial maintenance of machines, systems and robots for intelligent automation. The mobile maintenance management software combines AI and AR capabilities to help maintenance teams solve technical challenges faster and minimise costly downtime.

noriware AG

noriware is a material science company developing seaweed-based packaging materials that are completely fossil-free and engineered for rapid

scaling. Our packaging materials are 100% biobased and chemically unmodified alternatives to help companies avoid emerging regulatory challenges.

REPLACE SAS

The technology developed by Replace in collaboration with AISA (stand 4A35) enables players in the plastics industry to convert plastic waste from composite materials – previously considered non-recyclable – directly into 100% recycled and recyclable profiles such as panels, posts, rods and pallets. The model combines advanced technical support with a circular economy approach covering all stages from waste collection to the marketing of new, high-quality products.

Paques Biomaterials BV

Paques Biomaterials is revolutionising plastics with natural PHAs: bio-based, biodegradable polymers made from renewable raw materials. They replace conventional fossil-based plastics such as PP, PE, PS or PET in applications such as packaging, agriculture or consumer goods. The start-up's innovative fermentation and extraction technologies enable PHAs to be produced from organic waste streams – completely degradable, microplastic-free, versatile and sustainable.

R-Cycle - ProData GmbH

R-Cycle offers a turnkey software-as-a-service solution that enables players in the plastic packaging value chain to exchange and aggregate relevant data in an interoperable system for efficient, standardised and secure data exchange across company boundaries.

Saen Engineering BV

Saen Engineering is a Dutch developer and manufacturer of high-performance machines for the plastics industry. The company supplies quality systems with a clear focus on ROI and energy savings. By combining technical expertise and in-house production, it offers intelligent solutions for extrusion, compounding, recycling and moulding. It helps manufacturers increase their efficiency, reduce costs and stay at the forefront with future-proof technology.

SAFLUX GmbH

Saflux delivers tailor-made PV and LED solutions that reduce costs, cut emissions and increase efficiency. From free energy consulting to turnkey implementation, the company's engineers, technicians and consultants combine technical expertise with business acumen. Saflux stands for holistic, transparent and reliable energy solutions with measurable progress towards sustainability.

Simreka - Devtaar GmbH

Simreka accelerates product innovation with AI-powered simulation and data. The platform enables virtual experimentation and data-driven decisions, reducing time, costs and environmental impact. By reducing physical testing, Simreka helps manufacturers develop better products faster.

TOOLPLACE

Toolplace is a digital platform for purchasing, project management and supply chains in the plastics industry. By optimising these central processes within a cloud-based solution, administrative tasks are reduced and efficiency is increased. At the same time, the platform improves process performance by making meaningful use of existing historical data with the help of artificial intelligence. The project win rate is also increased by access to additional suppliers from the TOOLPLACE supplier pool.

Vithrough

talsand GmbH & Co. KG is a Düsseldorf-based technology company specialising in digital solutions for industrial sales and marketing. At K 2025, the new augmented reality platform Vithrough will be presented, which enables machine and plant manufacturers to easily digitise complex products and processes.

Other exhibitors in the Start-up Zone include: Balena LLC and Plastship GmbH.

For more information, visit: Start-up Zone

K 2025 will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Wednesday, 8 October to Wednesday, 15 October 2025. A day ticket costs 60 Euro, a three-day ticket 125 Euro. School pupils and students pay 20 Euro for a day ticket. Information on tickets | K 2025

About K in Düsseldorf:

K was first organised by Messe Düsseldorf in 1952 and takes place every three years. The last K in 2022 attracted 3,020 exhibitors from 59 countries to over 177,000 m² of net exhibition space and 177,486 trade visitors, 71 per cent of whom came from abroad. Around 3,200 exhibitors from 66 nations will be taking part in K 2025. Further information is available at www.k-online.com.