Plastics

Definition

The plastics industry includes all companies and institutions that deal with the development, manufacture, processing and recycling of polymers. Polymers are materials that mainly consist of macromolecules and are characterized by special properties that can be adjusted within certain limits by adding additives.

The plastics industry partners cooperating in the HOUSE of TRANSFER pursue the common goal of developing and promoting polymer materials that can become

a) part of natural cycles or, if this is not possible or sensible,
b) part of full-fledged technical cycles.

Goal a) is oriented towards the development and efficient production of bio-based and at the same time biodegradable plastics. In other words, materials that are metabolized at the end of their useful life by microorganisms, enzymatic reactions and other natural processes into non-critical starting materials such as carbon dioxide and water, instead of being ground into microplastics over the course of decades, as has been the case with conventional polymers.

Goal b) is oriented towards new types of plastic materials and processes which allow the full reuse of the polymers after the respective product lifetime. In particular, this requires highly homogeneous materials and efficient processes for collection, separation, recovery and recycling.

POLYKUM e.V.

The "Association for the Promotion of Polymer Development and Plastics Technology - POLYKUM e.V.” is a cooperation network of plastics manufacturers and processors, mechanical engineers, research institutions, universities, service providers and business-related institutions. The non-profit association was founded in 2002 and is based in Merseburg, the heart of the Central German "Chemical Triangle" - an innovation location with a long chemical and plastics technology tradition. The association now includes members from important plastics regions in Germany - and increasingly also foreign companies and institutions.

POLYKUM e.V. currently has around 50 members. They blieve that their common task is in promoting the transfer of knowledge, innovation and technology, in securing skilled workers and in interdisciplinary cooperation along the value chain from the raw material to the final product. The association has made it its task to pave the way for new, environmentally friendly plastics and plastic products in particular. POLYKUM supports its members, for example, with communication services, events and support in the initiation of research and innovation projects. There are several partnerships with networks in Germany and abroad, such as with BioEconomy e.V. or with the Indian branch association AIPMA. In addition, POLYKUM e.V. enjoys an excellent reputation as a competent partner for politicians, media representatives and institutions.

Since 2010, the topic of bioplastics has been a special focus of the association's work. With the "BIOPOLYMER - Processing & Moulding" congress, which has been held annually since 2018, POLYKUM offers an international industry get-together for processors and users of bio-based, biodegradable plastics with participants from up to 45 countries. In addition, the association annually announces the international BIOPOLYMER Innovation Award, which has already been awarded to prizewinners from Finland, Italy, Brazil, Belgium and Germany since 2019.

The most important objectives of POLYKUM e.V.

The improvement of cooperation between industrial and scientific entities as well as between companies within the value chain.
The transfer of knowledge, innovations and technologies.
Promotion of environmentally friendly materials and concepts of POLYKUM members.
Communicating innovations between members.
Support in partner search and project initiation.
Support in securing young talent from skilled workers to engineers.
Create opportunities for possible contacts to partner networks in Germany, Europe and worldwide.

Learn more about POLYKUM e.V. on https://www.polykum.de