UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA 2015, 23rd International Trade Fair for Processing, Packaging and Printing, and interplastica 2015, 18th International Trade Fair Plastics and Rubber, are recording stable international exhibitor registrations despite the tense trade relations with Russia and the current economic difficulties. The two leading Russian trade fairs for their respective industries will be held concurrently at the Expocentre in Moscow from January 27 – 30, 2015.

The organizers Messe Düsseldorf and its subsidiary OOO Messe Düsseldorf Moscow together with Centrexpo (for UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA 2015) expect about 1,000 companies to showcase their new products and services on approximately 172,000 square feet of net of exhibit space. Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, Chairman and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, takes a cautiously optimistic view of the market: “Even if the situation at the moment is not exactly easy, I am convinced that the prospects for the plastics and packaging industries in the Russian market are positive in the long term. We have been organizing trade fairs in Russia since 1963 and there have always been highs and lows. Past crises have shown us that those who maintain a market presence in difficult times are among the winners when business picks up again.”

To date, exhibitors from 20 nations have signed up for UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA and interplastica 2015, including large suppliers from the plastics and packaging industries as well as smaller specialists, regular participants and a remarkable number of new exhibitors. Suppliers from Germany, Italy, France and the host nation Russia are particularly well represented at both trade fairs. Austria, Portugal, Turkey and Taiwan also have many companies exhibiting at interplastica and, for the first time, there will be a joint exhibit of Swiss companies at UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA. The organizers count on around 20,000 trade visitors to attend. “Events held in Russia are benefiting from the fact that it has become more difficult for Russian experts to visit trade fairs abroad,” explained Werner M. Dornscheidt.

The topic of recycling will be an important topic at both trade fairs. The special show “Meeting Point Raw Materials” at interplastica 2015 will include exhibitor seminars as well as presentations of innovative developments in the production, use and recycling of raw materials. At UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA 2015, the special show "Future Forum – Trends for the Russian Market” will feature selected exhibitors presenting and explaining their technological innovations - with a particular focus on the disposal and recycling of packaging and packaging materials. Trade visitors will have the opportunity to talk directly with the suppliers to discuss market needs and solutions.

The hall layout at the Moscow trade fair center will continue with the successful concept from 2014: interplastica will be held in halls 1, 3, 8 and the forum while UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA will once again be located in halls 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3.

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA or interplastica 2015, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: [email protected]; Visit our web site http://www.mdna.com