pro-K Industrieverband langlebige Kunststoffprodukte und Mehrwegsysteme e.V.

What pro-K Industrieverband langlebige Kunststoffprodukte und Mehrwegsysteme e.V. does

pro-K Industrieverband langlebige Kunststoffprodukte und Mehrwegsysteme e.V. is a German trade association (registered association, e.V.) representing manufacturers of durable plastic products and reusable systems, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. The association operates through nine Fachgruppen (specialist groups) covering fluoropolymers, melamine plastics, PVC sheets, thermoplastic sheets, HPL surfaces, plastic window systems, door panels, storage and transport systems, and food-contact materials — producing technical guidelines (Merkblätter), position papers, and regulatory advocacy across these domains. Its flagship community asset is the Günter-Schwank-Preis, an annual training award endowed with €5,000 that recognizes the top ten national graduates of the Kunststoff- und Kautschuktechnologen/in apprenticeship, feeding into the Club der Besten alumni network of more than 150 professionals.

The organisation's underlying technology is a curated content library and event platform rather than a software product. Pro-K publishes technical Merkblätter covering PTFE processing, fluoropolymer recycling, PVC sheet quality standards, food-contact material conformity, and tribology under load, and distributes them through the pro-kunststoff.de website and the consumer-facing Dein Kunststoff (Kunststoffwelten) platform. Service delivery includes the four-module Fluoropolymer Seminar Series (€349 for members, €499 for non-members), the annual pro-K Branchendialog in Frankfurt, and presence at K Messe, LogiMAT, and interzum trade fairs. The association is a Trägerverband of the GKV (Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie) umbrella and co-located in the VCI building.

The business model is subscription-recurring membership dues supplemented by per-event seminar fees and event sponsorship. There are 5–10 named staff members, led by Managing Director Sven Weihe and Chairman Hendrik Johannink. Members include major German plastics processors such as Pöppelmann, Gerresheimer, B. Braun, REHAU, Ensinger, Diehl Aviation, Geberit, ALPLA, and DLR — accessed through apprenticeship award recipients rather than directly listed. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed, consistent with German e.V. non-profit accounting norms.

Name

pro-K Industrieverband langlebige Kunststoffprodukte und Mehrwegsysteme e.V.

Legal name

pro-K Industrieverband langlebige Kunststoffprodukte und Mehrwegsysteme e.V.

Website

https://pro-kunststoff.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

pro-K is a German trade association (e.V.) representing manufacturers of durable plastic products and reusable systems, organized through nine specialist groups covering fluoropolymers, PVC, HPL, windows, and food-contact materials. It serves ~60+ member companies and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plastics Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Business Associations (81391)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Training & Competency Programs (HACCP, PCQI, GMP) (AFALADAK), Active & Intelligent Packaging Safety Evaluation (scavengers, antimicrobials, indicators) (AFALAIAK)

Keywords

• Plastics industry association
• Industrial membership services
• Technical publications
• Regulatory advocacy
• Vocational training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt am Main

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual membership fees from member companies of the plastics processing industry. Members gain access to Fachgruppen, technical publications, seminars, events, and industry representation.
2. Seminar fees: Revenue from professional seminars including the Fluoropolymer seminar series (Modules I–IV) and other technical training. Fees vary by membership status (member vs. non-member).
3. Event participation and awards: Revenue and sponsorship from events such as pro-K Branchendialog, Günter-Schwank-Preis ceremony, and trade fair presence (K Messe, LogiMAT).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

pro-K Industrieverband is a non-profit German trade association that represents manufacturers of long-lasting plastic products and reusable systems. It delivers industry representation, regulatory advocacy on PFAS, PPWR, and food-contact legislation, technical publications (Technische Merkblätter) and position papers, professional seminars (Fluoropolymer series), annual training awards (Günter-Schwank-Preis), the Club der Besten alumni network, and the Dein Kunststoff consumer education platform. Membership is organised through specialised Fachgruppen covering fluoropolymers, PVC sheets, HPL, plastic window systems, door panels, melamine, and food-contact materials.

Product overview

pro-K is an industry association (Industrieverband) for long-lasting plastic products and reusable systems, not a traditional product company. The organization provides a portfolio of services including the 'Dein Kunststoff' educational information platform, technical publications (Technische Merkblätter) covering fluoropolymers, PTFE, PVC, and food contact materials, professional seminars and training programs, the Günter-Schwank-Preis annual training award with its Club der Besten network, and various specialist groups (Fachgruppen) representing different industry segments. These services work together to support the plastics processing industry through education, technical guidance, networking, and industry representation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dein Kunststoff (Kunststoffwelten): Platform showcasing plastic products and their applications across various sectors including consumer goods, construction, storage and transport, and semi-finished products.
• Fluoropolymergruppe (Fluoropolymergroup)
• Günter-Schwank-Preis
• Club der Besten
• Fachgruppe Haustürfüllungen
• Fachgruppe Kunststofffenstersysteme
• Fachgruppe Bedarfsgegenstände im Lebensmittelkontakt
• Fachgruppe PVC-Platten
• Fachgruppe Thermoplastische Platten

Products and services

• Dein Kunststoff (Kunststoffwelten) information platform Public-facing educational platform showcasing the versatility and sustainability of plastic products in everyday life, covering applications in home, garden, construction, storage, transport, and semi-finished products such as fluoropolymers. Targets consumers and broader public to promote quality, sustainability, and reusability of long-lasting plastic products.
• Technische Merkblätter (Technical Brochures) and Position Papers Technical guidelines, information sheets, and position papers covering fluoropolymers, PTFE products, PVC sheets, thermoplastic plates, HPL surfaces, food-contact materials, plastic window systems, and regulatory topics (PFAS, PPWR, fire protection). Available to members and broader public.
• Professional Seminars (Seminare) Educational seminars covering fluoropolymer technology (Modules I–IV), hygiene management, food-contact regulations, and industry-specific technical training. Open to members at 349 EUR and non-members at 499 EUR per module, with 25% discount on additional modules and second participants.
• Günter-Schwank-Preis Annual Training Award Annual award recognising the ten best graduates of the plastics and rubber technologist training program in Germany, endowed with 5,000 EUR total in prize money and non-cash prizes. Recipients are inducted into the Club der Besten alumni network.
• Club der Besten Alumni Network Networking platform for all recipients of the Günter-Schwank-Preis since 2001, providing ongoing industry connections, alumni events, and seminar discounts. Currently has over 150 members.
• Fachgruppen (Specialist Groups) Membership Membership in specialist groups covering Fluoropolymergruppe, Kunststofffenstersysteme, Haustürfüllungen, PVC-Platten, Thermoplastische Platten, Bedarfsgegenstände im Lebensmittelkontakt, and proHPL, with technical guideline development, position papers, and regulatory advocacy for each segment.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Günter-Schwank-Preis recognizes the top 10 national graduates annually, with a total endowment of 5,000 EUR plus non-cash prizes, and has produced a network of over 150 alumni.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fluoropolymergroup (within pro-K)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fluoropolymergroup is an organized technical subgroup within pro-K comprising approximately 60 member and associated member companies. It develops technical guidelines, position papers, and safety instructions for fluoropolymers (PTFE, PCTFE, modified PTFE, fluorothermoplastics) across their entire lifecycle, including processing, applications, conformity, recycling, and end-of-life management.
• Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie e.V. (GKV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGKV is the parent umbrella association for the entire German plastics processing industry. pro-K is one of its Trägerverbände (member/trade associations). The Günter-Schwank-Preis is jointly established and funded by GKV, its Trägerverbände, K Messe, and the Kunststoffe journal. GKV also co-organizes industry events and policy positions.
• Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. (VCI)minorOtherspro-K's headquarters is located in the VCI building (Haus des VCI) at Mainzer Landstraße 55, Frankfurt am Main. This is a hosting/location relationship rather than a formal strategic partnership.
• EPPA DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPPA Deutschland (European Plastic Pallets Association) became a Trägerverband (carrier association) of GKV, strengthening the institutional ties between EPPA and the German plastics industry representation structures that include pro-K.
• AVK, EPPA, FSK, IK (co-sponsors of Fluoropolymer Seminar Series)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Fluoropolymer Seminar Series is co-branded and offered to members of AVK (Industrievereinigung verstärkte Kunststoffe), EPPA, FSK (Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe), and IK (Industrievereinigung Kreislaufwirtschaft) at member pricing (349 EUR vs. 499 EUR for non-members).
• FM Global and VdS Schadenverhütung GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerpro-K's position paper on fire protection for plastic load carriers was coordinated with FM Global (global industrial property insurance company, headquartered in the USA) and VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH (Europe's largest institute for corporate security). The paper is addressed to warehouse planners.
• K Messe (Messe Düsseldorf)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerK Messe is a co-founder and co-sponsor of the Günter-Schwank-Preis award. It is the world's leading trade fair for plastics and rubber (held every three years in Düsseldorf). The Club der Besten alumni meet every three years at K Messe for an exclusive innovation tour. pro-K maintains a presence at K Messe.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pro-k-industrieverband-langlebige-kunststoffprodukte-und-mehrwegsysteme-e-v

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about pro-K Industrieverband langlebige Kunststoffprodukte und Mehrwegsysteme e.V.