Promoting more diversity in the industry, fostering young talents and creating better perspectives: K 2025 in Düsseldorf, as the world’s most relevant trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, makes a powerful statement with a dedicated event for women. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences and build valuable networks.
When women network with each other they can benefit themselves and, at the end of the day, the whole sector. K 2025 brings international female industry players together in a targeted manner at the trade fair. Under the heading ‘Women in Plastics’ an event for the women in this industry will be held for the first time on Sunday, 12 October.
Serving as a venue will be the special show Plastics Shape the Future, organised by Plastics Europe Deutschland. “Like many other sectors the plastics and rubber industry is still predominantly male. In particular, female leaders are still rare. Even though companies benefit from more diversity, fresh impulses and different perspectives not least also in view of the increasing shortage of skilled labor. ‘Women in Plastics’ at K 2025 wants to draw attention to barriers women face but above all move this sector into focus as an attractive workplace,” says Bettina Dempewolf, head of communication at PlasticsEurope Deutschland.
Stephanie Kalil, commercial vice president EMEA Packaging & Specialty Plastics at Dow has been named keynote speaker. She is responsible for developing and driving the P&SP net zero and business growth strategy, particularly Dow’s circularity and decarbonization efforts in the region.
Prior to this role, Stephanie Kalil was the senior global business director for the polyethylene business at Dow. Kalil holds a bachelor in business administration with a specialization in international business from Michigan State University (MSU) and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. She is a passionate advocate for the Women’s Innovation (WIN) employee resource group in Dow and promotes greater representation of women in technical and leadership roles.
The agenda of ‘Women in Plastics’ at K 2025 features not only the keynote but also a panel discussion, best-practice examples presented by top-notch female speakers from all over the world as well as the possibility for in-depth, face-to-face networking. ‘Women in Plastics’ will be hosted by Kerstin Sochor, editor-in-chief of Österreichische Kunststoffzeitschrift.
Inspiring personalities and role models
All women, the speakers on stage are internationally recognized experts, successful company founders or plastics and rubber industry pioneers. Women visiting the event will have the chance of learning from their personal experiences and career paths, take away valuable tips and exchange on current developments in the plastics and rubber industry.
Promoting diversity
Another central aim of the event is also to inspire women to enter the plastics and rubber industry and promote the wide-ranging professional opportunities it offers to young talents. Since women are often still underrepresented in technical careers and leadership roles promoting these aspects in a targeted manner can make an important contribution to overcoming skilled labor shortages. Measures such as mentoring, networking, positive industry communication, the promotion of equality and attractive working conditions play a central role here.
‘Women in Plastics’ will be held at K 2025 on 12 October 2025 as part of the special show ‘Plastics shape the Future’ in Hall 6.
