Plast 2026, scheduled from 9 to 12 June 2026 at Fiera Milano, becomes part of MaTec, an exhibition project that unites three manufacturing fairs: Plast (technologies for plastics and rubber), Xylexpo (biennial world exhibition of wood and furniture technologies, organised by Acimall) and Composites Future (exhibition-conference for composite materials, with Assocompositi). The objective is to unite transversal competencies and complementary sectors for an integrated vision of industry. For example, some machining centres for wood find application also in plastics processing and other materials, whilst wood-plastic composites are particularly high-performing in furniture and construction; the latter is one of the strategic destination sectors for the plants on display at Plast.

Whilst European manufacturing industry is going through a phase of redefinition accelerated by regulatory pressures, ecological transition and the need to innovate processes and materials, MaTec proposes itself as a concrete response: 8 pavilions hosting three complementary fairs to encourage technological contamination and synergies between sectors.

An exhibition model that transcends traditional boundaries

MaTec stems from a precise concept: the challenges that industry must face – sustainability, energy efficiency, digitalisation, materials in line with recent regulations – are no longer confined within individual sectors, but require transversal approaches and unprecedented collaborations. In this scenario, maintaining rigid separations between supply chains risks limiting opportunities for technological contamination and slowing innovation.

“The market demands flexibility and the ability to read trends more broadly”, explains Mario Maggiani, managing director of Promaplast, the company organising Plast. “MaTec responds to this requirement by creating a meeting point where suppliers of technologies and materials for application sectors that are also very different from each other – from packaging to construction, from aerospace to automotive and from marine to furniture – can dialogue, compare and find synergies. This is not just about expanding the exhibition offering, but about building an ecosystem in which innovation is generated precisely from the fusion of different competencies”.

The intuition behind MaTec is that many technologies and materials developed for one sector can find, almost by a principle of osmosis, application in other areas. This exhibition “triple alliance” proposes itself as a collector of contaminations, offering an exhibition environment rich in stimuli, where visitors can discover different but complementary solutions.

At a time when European industry finds itself facing the need to reinvent itself to remain globally competitive, events like MaTec assume strategic value, becoming places of comparison, inspiration and future construction.

Plast’s offering

To date, over 650 companies have confirmed their registration for Plast which, together with its three satellite halls – Rubber, 3D Plast and PlastMat – represents the entire supply chain of the plastics and rubber industry, occupying six of MaTec’s eight pavilions.

Rubber is dedicated to the rubber sector, from materials to processing technologies, through to industrial applications.

3D Plast explores the frontiers of 3D printing and additive technologies applied to polymers.

PlastMat focuses on innovations in materials, a central theme for the evolution of manufacturing industry.

An opportunity to build the future

The integration between three events – Plast, Xylexpo and Composites Future – will enable visitors to experience a complete experience, rich in insights and opportunities.

For exhibiting companies, MaTec represents a strategic investment: the possibility of reaching a broad and qualified audience, generating contacts and strengthening their image. For visitors, it means accessing a unique concentration of competencies, technologies and solutions, with the possibility of comparing with experts, discovering innovations, evaluating suppliers and building partnerships.

The appointment is from 9 to 12 June 2026 in Milan, where MaTec – through Plast, Xylexpo and Composites Future – will give life to a triple exhibition event that promises to be one of the most significant moments of the year for European manufacturing industry.

Plast

Plast is the triennial international reference fair for the plastics and rubber industry. Organised by Promaplast, it represents a strategic platform for innovation and networking.

MaTec

MaTec brings together Plast, Xylexpo and Composites Future in a single exhibition ecosystem that encourages technological contamination between complementary sectors of instrumental mechanics and manufacturing.