INTERPLAS 2026 The UK’s Leading Plastics Industry Event

INTERPLAS 2026 will once again bring together the full spectrum of the UK plastics industry, offering a detailed view of the technologies, processes and partnerships that continue to shape modern manufacturing. For engineers, production leaders and technical specialists, it provides a focused environment to review innovation, address operational challenges and connect with suppliers who understand the demands of plastics processing.

For over 75 years, INTERPLAS has remained a central point of reference for plastics professionals across the UK. Since its origins in 1948 at the British Industries Fair in London, the event has developed alongside the industry itself. What began as a showcase of early plastic products and technologies has grown into one of the longest running industrial exhibitions in the UK, now hosted at the NEC in Birmingham. This journey reflects the wider development of plastics manufacturing, from simple material applications through to highly engineered, process-driven production environments.

Location and Opening Times

INTERPLAS 2026 will take place at the NEC Birmingham, providing a central and accessible venue for visitors from across the UK and Europe. The exhibition will be held across:

Halls 9, 10, 11

NEC Birmingham

North Avenue

Marston Green

B40 1NT

Opening times are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday 2nd June
Wednesday 3rd June
Thursday 4th June

The NEC’s scale and infrastructure allow for a comprehensive exhibition layout, supporting live demonstrations, large-scale equipment displays and technical presentations across multiple halls.

What Happens at INTERPLAS

INTERPLAS is far more than a traditional exhibition. It operates as a working environment where manufacturers, engineers and suppliers engage directly with the technologies that define modern plastics production. Across the three halls, visitors are able to see equipment in operation, speak with technical specialists and gain a clear understanding of how different systems perform under real conditions.

Machinery demonstrations form a central part of the event. Injection moulding machines, extrusion lines and automation systems are often running live, allowing visitors to assess performance, precision and output. This provides valuable insight into how equipment will function within their own facilities, particularly when considering upgrades or process improvements.

Alongside machinery, material suppliers present developments in polymers, additives and sustainable materials. These innovations continue to influence product design and manufacturing efficiency, making them a key area of focus for attendees looking to remain competitive.

Technical presentations and seminar sessions run throughout the event, offering detailed discussions on subjects such as energy efficiency, process optimisation, digital monitoring and sustainability. These sessions are typically led by industry experts and provide practical guidance that can be applied directly within manufacturing environments. The exhibition also creates space for detailed project discussions. Many visitors attend with specific operational challenges, using the event as an opportunity to meet suppliers and develop solutions. This often includes conversations around cooling capacity, moisture control, airflow management and overall plant performance.

For Newsome, this is where environmental control becomes highly relevant. The performance of plastics machinery is directly influenced by surrounding conditions. Temperature variation can affect cycle times and dimensional stability, while uncontrolled humidity can introduce moisture into materials, leading to defects and inconsistent quality. INTERPLAS provides a platform to demonstrate how these challenges can be addressed through properly engineered systems.

Who Attends

INTERPLAS attracts a wide and technically focused audience, reflecting the diversity of the plastics industry. Visitors include production managers responsible for maintaining output and efficiency across manufacturing lines, as well as process engineers who focus on refining and improving operational performance.

Technical directors and senior decision-makers attend to review long-term investment opportunities, assess emerging technologies and identify ways to improve competitiveness. Their focus often extends beyond individual pieces of equipment to include full system performance, energy consumption and operational reliability. Procurement professionals also play a key role, using the exhibition to evaluate suppliers and compare solutions. Their interest lies in securing dependable equipment and services that deliver value over time, particularly in areas such as cooling systems, dehumidification and maintenance support. Maintenance and facilities teams attend with a practical perspective, looking for solutions that improve system reliability and reduce downtime. For these teams, access to responsive support and proven equipment is a critical factor.

The event also attracts consultants, designers and contractors involved in specifying and delivering new production facilities. Their presence creates opportunities for collaboration, particularly where environmental control systems need to be integrated into wider project designs.

This mix of attendees creates a strong technical environment where conversations are focused, informed and directly linked to real operational requirements.

The Importance of Temperature and Humidity Control in Plastics

Across plastics manufacturing, environmental conditions play a direct role in determining product quality and process stability. Temperature control is essential for maintaining consistent production cycles, particularly in injection moulding and extrusion processes. Any variation can lead to defects, reduced efficiency and increased waste. Humidity control is equally important, especially when working with hygroscopic materials. Moisture within raw materials can affect processing behaviour, leading to surface defects, reduced strength and inconsistent results. Controlling humidity within production and storage areas helps to prevent these issues and ensures that materials perform as expected.

At Newsome, we design and deliver systems that address these challenges. Our experience within the plastics sector allows us to identify the specific environmental requirements of each process and provide solutions that support stable and efficient operation.

Newsome’s Role in Supporting the Plastics Industry

INTERPLAS highlights the importance of reliable supporting systems alongside core production equipment. At Newsome, we work with plastics manufacturers to ensure that temperature and humidity are controlled effectively across all stages of production.

Our solutions include process chillers that provide precise cooling for machinery and processes, as well as dehumidification systems that maintain stable moisture levels within production environments. We also deliver ventilation systems designed to manage airflow and maintain consistent internal conditions.

In addition to permanent installations, we provide temporary hire solutions that allow businesses to respond to changing demands. This is particularly important during periods of high ambient temperature, where additional cooling capacity may be required to maintain performance. Our approach is based on detailed site assessment and system design. By understanding the specific requirements of each facility, we ensure that solutions are aligned with operational needs and capable of delivering consistent results.

Managing Seasonal Demand and Operational Risk

One of the key challenges for plastics manufacturers is managing variation in environmental conditions throughout the year. During warmer periods, increased ambient temperatures can place additional strain on cooling systems, potentially affecting production performance.

Temporary cooling solutions provide a practical way to manage these conditions. By deploying additional equipment during peak periods, businesses can maintain stable environments without making permanent changes to their infrastructure.

This approach also supports contingency planning. In the event of equipment failure, rapid deployment of temporary systems ensures that production can continue, reducing the risk of downtime and lost output.

Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

Energy efficiency remains a priority across the plastics industry. Modern environmental control systems are designed to operate efficiently, reducing energy consumption while maintaining performance. At Newsome, we focus on delivering solutions that support both operational efficiency and environmental objectives. This includes the use of advanced controls, variable speed systems and low GWP refrigerants where appropriate.

By improving the efficiency of cooling and dehumidification systems, businesses can reduce operating costs while maintaining the conditions required for consistent production.

INTERPLAS 2026 and the Opportunity Ahead

INTERPLAS 2026 offers a valuable opportunity to review current operations, identify improvements and engage with suppliers who understand the demands of plastics manufacturing. The event provides a clear view of how technology continues to evolve and how these developments can be applied within real production environments.

For those attending, it is important to consider not only the core machinery on display but also the supporting systems that enable consistent performance. Temperature and humidity control remain fundamental to achieving reliable and efficient production.

At Newsome, we are committed to supporting the plastics industry with solutions that address these challenges. Our experience, technical knowledge and nationwide capability allow us to deliver systems that perform under demanding conditions.

If you are attending INTERPLAS 2026 or reviewing your current environmental control systems, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your requirements and demonstrate how we can support your operation. Contact us today to find out more

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