'Russian rubber' at K2022

Dusseldorf, Germany – While Russian-based companies are banned from exhibiting at any trade fair in Germany – due to the Putin regime’s continuing war against Ukraine – they can still, apparently, have some involvement in expos such as K2022.

As explained by a spokeswoman for the global polymer expo, organiser Messe Düsseldorf has withdrawn from the Russian and Belarusian markets, in-line with German government sanctions on those countries.

The decision covers the acquisition and admission of exhibitors for events of the Messe Düsseldorf Group, she explained in a written statement to ERJ.

Asked about joint ventures, the spokeswoman said that the ‘relevant criterion’ is “the registered domicile of the company” adding that only products that are tradable in the EU can be exhibited.

But while companies headquartered in either Russia or Belarus cannot exhibit in Germany, that still leaves the door ajar for joint ventures (JVs) involving companies based on those countries.

A case-in-point seems to be India petrochemicals group Reliance Industries, which in its K2022 exhibitor profile includes Relflex butyl rubber on its list of product offerings for the Dusseldorf expo.

Reliance produces butyl rubber at its petrochemicals site in Jamnagar, India through a JV with Russian petrochemicals major Sibur – which has a minority 25% stake in the venture.

Started up in 2020, the Reliance Sibur Elastomers Pvte. Ltd JV's 120ktpa butyl rubber plant is based on a proprietary technology, supplied under licence by the Russian partner.

In 2021, butyl rubber produced at the Jamnagar facility was stated to account for 20% of global butyl rubber output and 70% of the Indian market.