Rubber Street

Within the trade fair K 2025, Rubber Street in Hall 6 will reaffirm its role as a hot spot for visitors seeking the latest innovations in elastomers. Jointly organised by wdk (German Rubber Manufacturers Association) and Messe Düsseldorf, the initiative underlines the importance of rubber and elastomers in shaping the industry’s future.

“We are delighted that Messe Düsseldorf is giving Rubber Street 2025 such a prominent place in the programme. This is a strong signal for our industry and for all those looking for elastomer innovations at K”, said Boris Engelhardt, Managing Director of wdk. Over the years, the profile of Rubber Street has evolved in line with the rise of thermoplastic elastomers, today seen as the perfect complement to cross-linkable elastomers. “Exhibitors present innovations from both worlds at the highest technological level. Who knows – maybe one day Rubber Street will officially become Rubber & TPE Street” commented Volker Krings, Managing Director of the TPE Association within wdk.

The 2025 edition is fully booked: 19 exhibitors and co-exhibitors will showcase their solutions across 500 square metres, covering the entire elastomer value chain – from raw material suppliers and compounders to processors, research institutes, networks and recycling specialists. A highlight this year will be a sustainability-driven innovation: for the first time, the Rubber Street flooring will be made of recycled tyre rubber. Thanks to a smart puzzle-click system, the mats are easy to install, prevent slipping, and offer durability, comfort and reusability. Unlike conventional disposable exhibition flooring, these mats can be used multiple times and are fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle, thus optimising the carbon footprint of exhibitors and stand builders alike.

Rubber Street has a long tradition at K: first launched in 1983 by Bayer as a showcase for the rubber industry, it was later carried forward by Lanxess and then Arlanxeo. At K 2025, wdk and Messe Düsseldorf are jointly continuing this legacy – ensuring rubber and elastomers remain in the spotlight at the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber.