International congress on the future of the plastics industry
on June 15th & 16th, 2026
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 2026
Program 2025
The program for 2026 will follow shortly.
In addition to exciting presentations, you can also look forward to an exhibition by our congress partners on site. You can also follow all presentations on June 17, 2025 in our livestream!
16.06.2025
BIOPOLYMER Congress Opening Event
16.06.2025
BIOPOLYMER Congress Opening Event
Opening Words BIOPOLYMER Kongress
Peter Putsch
Chairman Polykum e.V.
Greetings from the town hall
Dr. Alexander Vogt
Mayor of the City of Halle (Saale)
Biopolymers in automotive interiors - the future!
Dr. Thomas Taddigs
Head of Sustainable Materials Department Volkswagen AG
Applied research in pilot scale as a key factor for the successful development of sustainable materials and technologies
Prof. Maik Feldmann
Head of Business Unit Polymer Applications Fraunhofer IMWS
Award ceremony for the BIOPOLYMER Innovation Awards 2025
Moderated by
Dr. Martin Bussmann, Director Material Innovation at Mosca GmbH
Michael Walter, Global Business Development Manager at Wirthwein SE
Opening of the buffet
Networking and exchange
17.06.2025
Welcome!
17.06.2025
Welcome!
A warm welcome from Polykum e.V.
Peter Putsch
Chairman
Polykum e.V.
Brief words from our supporters in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament
Sven Schulze
Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry of Saxony-Anhalt
Poland
Partner Country
Poland
Partner Country
Greetings from our partner country Poland
Bioplastics in Poland and Europe – Floating Between Vision and Reality
Wojciech Pawlikowski
CEO
Noweko Ltd
Biocomposites in Poland - from biofillers to bioadditives
Dr hab. Kamila Sałasińska
Warsaw University of Technology
Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering
Development of Sustainable Biocomposites and Recycling in the Polish Cluster of Composite Technologies: Review of Current Research and Threats
Piotr Szatkowski
Polish Composite Technology Cluster
Coffee Break
Biopolymers and Additives
Session 1
Biopolymers and Additives
Session 1
Evaluation of Thermal Stability of Thermoplastic Bio-Polyesters and Stabilizer Performance Using Multi-Step Kneading Tests
Andriy Horechyy
Scientist / Project Manager
FILK Freiberg Institute gGmbH
NatFeel®: a smart talc based modifier for compostable biopolymers
Piergiovanni Ercoli Malacari
Product and application development
IMI Fabi Spa
Ingeo grades for plastics processing - the latest trends
Julian Schmeling
Applications Development Engineer
NatureWorks
Lunch Break
Applications made from biopolymers
Session 2
Applications made from biopolymers
Session 2
Polybutylene Succinate: New Possibilities in the Manufacturing of PBS
Dr. Christopher Hess
Vice Head R&D
Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH
Biopolymer PBS - The foreseeable future of plastics: From vision to concrete applications
Max Putsch & Eduard Putsch
Sales & Production
Exipnos GmbH
Why biodegradable plastic polymers are not a nice to have but a must for certain applications
Christian Lott
Director
HYDRA Marine Sciences
Coffee Break
Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing PAZ
Excursion
Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing PAZ
Excursion
Schkopau arrival and get-together at PAZ
Station:
Production of bio-based polybutylene succinate using a novel continuous synthesis technologyStation:
Production of injection molded articles from bio-based polybutylene succinateStation:
Production of continuous fiber-reinforced bio-based polyamides for lightweight construction applications- Station:
Production of sustainable child seat shells from bio-based polyamides using hybrid injection molding
Return journey to Halle (Saale) and end of the event
Austria
Partner country 2026
Further information will follow shortly.
BIOPOLYMER
Innovation Award
The handmade trophies will be awarded for the sevens time in 2026 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.
Submit your innovation now until April 11, 2026.
Find out more about the award and the previous 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 & Organizers
Sponsors
Organizers
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.
More about POLYKUM e.V.
PLASTVERARBEITER
is the leading trade magazine for decision-makers in plastics processing and offers practical, well-founded information for specialists and managers in plastics processing, mechanical engineering, tool and mold making as well as for raw material suppliers. The magazine supports the implementation of cost- and resource-efficient production and helps to identify new market opportunities.
