International congress on the future of the plastics industry
on June 17th, 2025
Bio-based and biodegradable plastics are changing the world. Are you an expert in this field? Or would you like to find out more about these materials? Then become part of our global community now!
Partner 2024
Australia
Partner country 2024
Prof. Justin Cooper-White, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and Peter Putsch, CEO of Fördergemeinschaft POLYKUM in Merseburg (Germany), agreed in June 2023 on a strategic collaboration between their organizations to strengthen the transfer of knowledge and technology in the field of bioplastics between companies and research institutions in both countries. The University of Queensland is one of Australia's leading centers of bioplastics research. The latest technological developments from “Down Under” will therefore be the focus of the BIOPOLYMER - Processing & Moulding 2024 congress, as will exclusive insights into the situation in the Australian bioplastics industry.
Our partner country in 2025 will be Poland. More information will follow shortly.
Program
11th of June, 2024
All lectures in English.
Sheduled times: Central European Summer Time (CEST/Berlin) || Australia: +6:00 / +8:00 hours
Welcome!
Welcome!
A warm welcome from Polykum e.V.
Peter Putsch
Chairman
Polykum e.V.
Greetings from the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt
Dr. Reiner Haseloff
Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt
Australia
Partner Country
Australia
Partner Country
Queensland - Germany: partnership and opportunities
Henriette Pook
Director of Research
Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ)
Keynote: Polyhydroxyalkanoate advancements - polymer modification, blends, composites and end of life
Prof. Bronwyn Laycock
Professor in Chemical Engineering
The University of Queensland
Shifting the paradigm: Developing cost effective biopolymer products
Alec Foster
Bioproducts and Packaging Portfolio Lead
scion research New Zealand
Uluu: seaweed-derived PHAs to replace plastic at scale
Michael Kingsbury
Co-founder and co-CEO
Uluu
Coffee Break
Biopolymers and Additives
Session 1
Biopolymers and Additives
Session 1
Stabilisation and colouring of biopolymers biogenic by-products
Dr. Mirko Rennert
Owner
Twins Crew GmbH
Bio2compound – continous processing of microscale functional fibers into biobased binder systems
Jörg Dörrstein
Managing Director
Biofibre
Biopolymer Injection Moulding Technology
Timo Günzel
CTO
BOLE Intelligent Machinery
Lunch Break
Biopolymer Recycling Solutions
Session 2
Biopolymer Recycling Solutions
Session 2
Controllability of plastic recyclates/ biopolymers - with cavity pressure
Thomas Koch
Team sales/ Application
Kistler Intrumente GmbH
Recycled post-consumer textile waste as reinforcement filler for plastic composites
Illia Krasnou
Senior researcher
Taltech
Advancements in Recycling Technologies for Bio-based PBS Materials
Dr. Patrick Hirsch
Group Leader “Sustainable Materials and Processes
Fraunhofer IMWS
Coffee Break
Biodegradation
Session 3
Biodegradation
Session 3
BIOMER - bio degredable waxes
Thomas Stöbe
Site Manager
DEUREX AG
Certification for a sustainable future - relevant certifications for bioplastics
Yunus Emre Altunay
Product Manager
DIN CERTCO
Coffee Break
Award presentation ceremony
Session 4
Award presentation ceremony
Session 4
Award announcement
The winners of the year present their innovations.
Laudatory speech and award ceremony
End of the event
BIOPOLYMER
Innovation Award
The handmade trophies will be awarded for the sixth time in 2025 by the non-profit association POLYKUM. Previous winners have come from Italy, Finland, Belgium, Brazil and Germany. The projects honored by the independent jury demonstrate how biodegradable plastics can be used to break new ground in the packaging industry, the leisure sector, construction, medicine and technical applications, for example.
Applications for 2025 can be submitted now.
Find out more about the award and the 2024 winners on our award page.
Call for Papers
Bio-based and biodegradable plastics are changing the world. If you are already working with these materials of the future, share your experience - with your presentation to people from over 40 countries!
Sponsors of the event
Contact
Newsletter
Contact
Phone: +49 (3461) 7940320
E-Mail: biopolymer@polykum.de
Fördergemeinschaft für Polymerentwicklung und Kunststofftechnik
Peter Putsch
Brandisstraße 4
06217 Merseburg
Germany
Newsletter
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POLYKUM-Newsletter
POLYKUM e.V.
The Association for the Promotion of Polymer Development and Plastics Technology in Central Germany - POLYKUM e. V. sees its most important task in promoting the transfer of knowledge, innovation and technology and the cooperation of small and medium-sized companies in particular with each other and with science along the value chain. The diverse activities and measures for this include maintaining regular contact with members, organizing workshops and scientific events on industry-specific topics, and organizing joint stands at regional and international trade fairs.
Learn more about POLYKUM e.V.
