Accompanied by the powerful and soul-stirring beats of Tainan’s internationally renowned Ten Drum Art Percussion Group, the 2025 Taiwan International Plastics, Rubber & Composite Material Fair (hereafter referred to as Plastics Material Taiwan) opened spectacularly at ICC Tainan. The layered rhythms of drums large and small formed a majestic symphony—just like the theme of the plastics and rubber industry—where upstream, midstream, and downstream manufacturers collaborate to create an annual output of over NT$300 billion.

 

Huang Ying-Wen, Vice Chairman of the Taiwan Plastics Industry Association, stated in the opening remarks: “There are approximately 7,750 plastics manufacturers in Taiwan, employing about 155,000 people, making it the third-largest industry within Taiwan’s manufacturing sector.”

 

Tainan Deputy Mayor Chao Ching-Hui also emphasized that the plastics and rubber industry is a crucial cluster in Tainan, with about 1,208 manufacturers. Thanks to the support of the International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, the export value reaches NT$62.2 billion annually. Mayor Huang Wei-Che of Tainan places great importance on the export of plastics, rubber raw materials, and related application materials.

 

On opening day, despite the heavy rain, many professional buyers from around the world, along with international media invited by organizer Venturap Conference & Exhibition, and industry professionals, showed up to attend the exhibition. Water is a key resource in the chemical industry, and although Taiwan does not produce crude oil, it has succeeded in developing a strong plastics and rubber industry—thus the opening day rain is seen as a symbolic blessing for the sector.

 

Wu Wen-Yao, Director of Venturap, said in his speech: “PMT is a particularly challenging show. Our team specializes in launching new exhibitions and organizing Taiwan pavilions for overseas export. We are especially grateful to the International Trade Administration for its 2024 New Exhibition Support Program, and also thank Tainan City Government and various associations for their support.”

 

The goal of this exhibition is to become Taiwan’s only international professional trade fair focusing on plastics, rubber raw materials, and composite materials. Leveraging its international network, the organizer invited major global industry media including Japan’s The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Spain’s Interempresas Media, Poland’s PLASTECH, Korea’s The Korea Industry Daily, and Thailand’s Plas & Pack to Taiwan for in-depth coverage and interviews.

 

In addition, several Indonesian plastics and recycling materials associations came to Taiwan for exchanges, expanding cooperation potential across the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, the Hong Kong Plastic Industry Association also formed a delegation to exhibit, showcasing strong interaction and market connections between Hong Kong and Taiwan industries.

 

The exhibition venue is divided into the following zones:

A. Raw Materials & Post-Processing Products

B. Processing Machinery & Equipment

C. High-Value Industry Products

N. Digital Transformation & Industrial Software

S. Associations & International Media

 

A total of 110 key exhibitors are participating, including Fong Kee, Fu Chun Shin, Chang Chun Plastics, BASF Taiwan, and more.

 

PMT Summit – Materials Industry Innovation Forum

Jointly organized by Venturap Conference & Exhibition Co., Ltd. and the Plastics Industry Development Center, this is a key featured event held concurrently with the 2025 Taiwan International Plastics, Rubber & Composite Material Fair.

 

To accommodate international guests, the organizer thoughtfully provided AI-powered real-time translation, displayed live on the presentation screen. During the keynote by Mr. Laurent Poisson, Area Sales Manager of PINETTE PEI, the translation was in full effect, allowing attendees to stay engaged and follow along with ease.

 

Lee Kuan-Chih, Director-General of the SMEA, Ministry of Economic Affairs, stated:
The government’s various innovation and development programs for SMEs especially focus on supporting the manufacturing sector. The initiative revolves around three main pillars:

1. Digital Transformation – introducing AI tools to address labor shortages and cost issues, with online training course subsidies.

2. Net-Zero Transition – encouraging energy conservation, providing preferential loans to help upgrade equipment, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.

3. Industrial Upgrade – helping SMEs enhance value and differentiation to compete globally, achieve supply chain integration, and elevate the industry.

 

Hsiao Yao-Kuei, General Manager of the Plastics Industry Development Center,
Reflected on the long history and importance of Taiwan’s plastics industry. He pointed out the major challenges the industry has faced in recent years, particularly price competition from overcapacity in China and uncertainties from tariff negotiations—both of which are significant “headwinds” impacting key export markets.

 

He also mentioned two emerging challenges:

1. The upcoming EU carbon tariffs (CBAM)

2. A possible Global Plastics Treaty that could limit new plastics production and enforce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

 

To tackle these issues and ensure resilience and forward-looking development, he proposed that Taiwan’s plastics industry should focus on:

• Sustainability – especially in the use of recycled materials
• Digitalization – to preserve know-how and boost efficiency
• High-Value Product Development – targeting certified and advanced applications

 

He noted that the government is actively assisting SMEs with these transitions through various support programs. The two-day forum features 20 speakers, and full information is available on the official forum website.

 

News Link:https://money.udn.com/money/amp/story/7369/8787544