Online Expert Conference Bioplastics 2026 – Approaches for Sustainable Product Development on February 24–25, 2026
Welcome to the expert conference “Bioplastics – Approaches for Sustainable Product Development.”
We are delighted to welcome you to this international conference and thank you for your interest in the latest developments, research findings, and practical examples related to sustainable plastics.
Throughout the conference, an open Zoom room will be available as a virtual reception.
This space serves as a central point of contact for organizational questions, technical support, and general information regarding the event schedule.
Program – February 24, 2026
09:00 – 09:10
Greetings & Status quo
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann – President (HS Hof)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Michael Nase – Institute Director (IBP)
09:10 – 09:30
Hasso von Pogrell – European Bioplastics e.V.
Market Data and Trends
09:30 – 09:40
Concept Presentation of the Conference
09:40 – 10:30
Alberto Zanon, Sales & Business Development Manager – Sirmax SpA
Beyond Plastics: Sirmax Upcycling and Biodegradable Solutions for Sustainable Progress
10:30 – 11:30
Lecture Pitches
15 Pitches à 2 minutes – anonymous vote on the pitches
11:30 – 12:20
Arthur Groh – KUORI GmbH
From BIOWA to Biorubber: Scalable Bio-Elastomers for Abrasion-Critical Applications
12:20 – 12:30
Presentation of the Voting Results
Program – February 25, 2026
08:30 – 09:10
Alexander Forst – Institute for Circular Economy of Bio:Polymers
Design gegen den Kreislauf? Ein Systemfehler in der Produktentwicklung
09:10 – 09:50
TOP 1 Lecture
Christian Lott
„Native and Regenerated Cellulose Biodegrade Similarly Across Global Ecosystems“
09:50 – 10:00
Coffee Break
10:00 – 12:00
Session 1 & Session 2
Session 1
Session 2
10:00 – 10:30 | Dr.-Ing. Carpio Vallejo, Estefania„The bioradar´s implementation scorecard: Empowering SMES into a sustainable and circular bioeconomy transition “ | Dr.-Ing. Baumgart, Christin; Kleiber, Isabell„TechCirclePolymers–Applied Technology Transfer for a Sustainable Circular Polymer Economy“ |
10:30 – 11:00 | Dr. rer. nat. Finkbeiner, Manuel„“Water-soluble““ bioplastic for support structures“
| Hofmann, Maximilian„Beitrag biobasierter Polymere zur Dekarbonisierung medizinischer und pharmazeutischer Wertschöpfungsketten“ |
11:00 – 11:30 | Küfner, Johannes„Lederartige Textilbeschichtung aus Pflanzenproteinen“
| Akter, Sharmin„Enhancing the Sustainability of PHBV Using Biobased Oils: A Combined Thermal, Mechanical, Degradation, and LCA”
|
11:30 – 12:00 | Hang, Liu„Micro-Embossing of Biopolymer Blends to control Biodegradability“ | Wohlfahrt, Philipp„CREATE –A regional innovation hub for the bioeconomy of plastics“
|
12:00 – 13:00
Postersession + Meet & Greet
Time for lunch break and informal conversations
13:00 – 13:40
TOP 2 – Lecture
Robin Heinrich
„RuhBio – Modifizierung von PLA für lange Lebensdauer von Schallschutzelementen im Schienenverkehr “
13:40 – 15:10
Session 1 & Session 2
Session 1
Session 2
13:40 – 14:10 | Lang, Maximilian„Herstellung biobasierter endlosfaserverstärkter Thermoplaste mittels Direktextrusion“
| Pongratz, Annalena„Enzymatic Recycling of PET and PBT: Insights into Substrate-Driven Degradation Mechanisms“ |
14:10 – 14:40 | Dr.-Ing. Kausch, Martin„Großformat-3-D-Druck mit nachhaltigen Materialverbunden“
| Dr. Simon, Sara„Thermische Analyse als Schlüssel zur Auslegung zuverlässiger TPS/PBS-Compounds“
|
14:40 – 15:10 | Rhein, Isabell; von Wedel-Parlow, Friederike„From Fabric to Bioplastic – From Waste to Value, Feasibility and Potential study: Applications for the biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from textile waste“
| Albrecht, Janne-Constantin„EPLA – a sustainable & efficient drop-in substitute for the EPS process chain“ |
15:10 – 15:30
Award Ceremony & Final words
Sie haben Fragen vorab? Nehmen Sie gerne Kontakt zu uns auf:
Institut für Kreislaufwirtschaft der Bio:Polymere der Hochschule Hof (ibp)
Alfons-Goppel-Platz 1, 95028 Hof
E: ibp@hof-university.de
T: +49 9281 409-4730