For many of the national mould companies, it was a return to the traditional model of fairs, with stands and in-person visitors. The 2021 edition of Equiplast, in Barcelona, ​​a fair dedicated to the plastics industry and its value chain, had a positive outcome for the group of mold manufacturers who, with CEFAMOL, were represented at the event, between the 14th and September 17th.

Patrício Tavares, from CEFAMOL, explained that, traditionally, this fair has a more regional character, being very focused on the Spanish molds and plastics sectors, which, in recent years, has been the main market for national manufacturers. “Given questions such as the size of the fair and the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic in recent months, companies had some uncertainties about the results of this participation”, he said, adding that, in the end, the event ended up “overcoming all the expectations”.

Five companies accompanied CEFAMOL in this edition of Equiplast: AES Moldes, Erofio, Moldes 2000, Proaz and Steelplus.

Patrício Tavares adds that, of the four days of exhibition, two of them were “manifestly very positive, with a large number of visitors that resulted in many good contacts and, consequently, business opportunities for national companies”. The presence of the companies was used to make contact with some of the current customers in person, but also, and above all, to approach potential new customers.

With pleasure, the national mold producers also found that “the big brands were present, not only with their regional representatives, but, in many cases, with the 'mother house', which does not happen very often at fairs of this dimension”, he stressed. But that, he emphasizes, “ends up confirming the importance that this fair has been gaining throughout its editions”. For all these reasons, he summarizes, national companies classified this participation as “very positive”.

Held every three years, Equiplast seeks, with each edition, to focus on the most relevant news for the sector. This year, the fair focused on three key issues: technological innovation, circular economy and digitalisation. Themes that, due to their relevance and relevance, are the order of the day in the mold industry.