The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) announced that “NEXT IS NOW” will serve as the official theme for NPE2027: The Plastics Show, the largest plastics trade show in the Americas. The announcement was made live from K 2025: The World’s No. 1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber, underscoring the global stage on which the plastics industry is stepping forward with innovation and leadership.
NPE2027 will be defined by its impact on business growth, innovation, sustainability, and the perception of plastics. The “NEXT IS NOW” theme emphasizes adoption over aspiration, positioning the plastics industry as forward-thinking and actively shaping its future.
“The entire plastics supply chain will gather at NPE2027 for the solutions, collaborations, and technologies that will define the next era of our industry. The ‘NEXT IS NOW’ theme captures the urgency of this moment, celebrates innovation already in motion, and reinforces the leadership role plastics play in addressing global challenges,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of PLASTICS. “We are invigorated and inspired by this new theme and are preparing to make NPE2027 an unforgettable experience for attendees from across the globe.”
At its core, the theme also positions the plastics industry as a leader solving global challenges head-on. The plastics industry is at an inflection point where emerging technologies, evolving market expectations, and new sustainability regulations require immediate action. NPE 2027 will convene stakeholders from customers and investors to regulators and consumers, demanding faster progress towards circularity, supply chain resilience, and climate goals.
With more than 2,200 exhibiting companies and 51,000+ attendees expected, the show will serve as a global platform where the entire plastics value chain can come together to build what’s next.
NPE2027 will take place May 3–7, 2027, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida. The triennial show will showcase the full power and potential of plastics, bringing together leaders from more than 130 countries to advance innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.