In times of economic uncertainty and global upheaval, it becomes evident how crucial innovation, new ideas and technological solutions are in actively shaping change. In 2026, the IKV once again invites participants to the International Colloquium Plastics Technology, offering a forum in which research and industry can jointly develop new pathways. The two-day colloquium will take place on 4 and 5 March 2026 in Aachen.
Focus on recycling and the circular economy
A key theme of the colloquium is the recycling of technical plastics and packaging – a cornerstone of sustainable value creation, resource conservation and the development of circular-ready products. Renowned experts from academia and industry will cover topics ranging from fundamental research to industrial application.
Expanded programme and new sessions
The 2026 colloquium offers a particularly diverse programme. Five keynote lectures, together with 16 parallel thematic sessions – each featuring three individual presentations – give participants the opportunity to create a customised agenda. While the thematic sessions address specific specialist topics and detailed questions for experts, the keynote lectures provide overarching perspectives and clearly convey the most important developments in the plastics sector in an accessible manner.
Thematic sessions
- Additivation, de-inking, coating – building blocks for increasing the use of recyclates
- Circular products through foam injection moulding
- Plastics as a key to scaling the hydrogen economy
- Formulation, mixing and processing of rubber compounds
- Robust injection moulding through adaptive process control
- Mechanical recycling of CFRP: Vitrimers as
- Analysis and improvement of the quality of polyolefin recyclates
- Prediction of process-dependent material behaviour in product development
- Extrusion processes for sustainable and bio-based materials
- Artificial intelligence in product development and simulation
- Polymer/metal and polymer/polymer hybrid structures
- Processing and recycling technologies for polyurethanes (*****)
- Simulation technologies for precise injection-moulded components
- Processing recyclates in film extrusion
- New manufacturing strategies for the 3D printing of technical parts
- New developments in processessing technology and modelling for laser beam welding
Keynote lectures with practical relevance
- Use of recyclates and sustainable solutions in vehicle construction
Dr Werner Tietz, Volkswagen AG - Creating circular value chains in automotive
Dr Patrick Gloeckner, Evonik Operations GmbH - Rethinking plastic processing and mechanical recycling within the circular economy
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Achim Grefenstein, IKV / Constantia Flexibles Germany GmbH - KI4KI – Artificial Intelligence for the plastics industry
Dipl.-Ing. Mauritius Schmitz, IKV / Osphim GmbH - Economic outlook and long-term trends
Dr Arne Holzhausen, Allianz SE
IKV 360° – Experience research live
Visitors will be able to experience IKV’s laboratories and technical centres firsthand. More than 80 experimental stations and posters will demonstrate ongoing research projects and enable direct exchange with the scientists and engineers.
Industry trade show and networking
The accompanying industry exhibition, spanning around 400 square metres, will showcase the entire value chain of plastics engineering. It offers the ideal platform to initiate collaborations, discover new technologies and jointly shape the future of the industry. The opening of the exhibition on the evening before the event invites attendees to network and exchange ideas.
Awards and support for young talent
As in previous years, the Georg Menges Prize and the Reifenhäuser Sponsorship Award will be presented in 2026 during the colloquium. The Recruiting Speed Dating event will enable students and graduates to make direct contact with companies from the plastics industry – and offer companies the opportunity to find suitable candidates for internships, dissertations and entry-level positions.
A meeting place for the future of plastics engineering
The IKV Colloquium 2026 is a place where knowledge is shared, ideas are born and perspectives are connected. With practice-oriented lectures, lively discussions, guided tours of the institute and a diverse industry exhibition, the event offers all participants the opportunity to be at the very heart of plastics engineering.
(*****) Session 12: Processing and recycling technologies for polyurethanes
Session 12 deals with modern approaches to sustainable polyurethane processing. The first presentation focuses on advanced recycling processes that convert PU waste into reusable raw materials. The second presentation examines layer adhesion in the combined injection moulding–PU RIM process as a sustainable alternative to conventional painting. The third presentation introduces an automated measuring cell that analyses the demoulding behaviour of PU systems with permanent release layers, thereby enabling industrial implementation.
Moderation: Maria Thomas, BASF Polyurethanes GmbH
Maria Thomas is Director of PU Process Development at BASF Polyurethanes GmbH. She has been with BASF since 2010 and has taken on increasing responsibilities in process development within the Polyurethanes division. She holds a degree in chemical/process engineering from TU Dortmund and, before joining BASF, worked as a project engineer at Elastogran and Hoechst.
