program
June 15 & 16, 2026 | Live in Halle (Saale) or via digital livestream
Monday, June 15, 2026
BIOPOLYMER Kongress Opening Event
BIOPOLYMER Exhibition
- Opening of the exhibition accompanying the congress
- Introduction of partner country Austria
Andreas Eder
ecoplus
- Video message
- Introduction of the exhibitors in the exhibition area
BIOPOLYMER Award
- Presentations by the award finalists
- Presentation of the BIOPOLYMER Innovation Awards 2026
- Gala evening with networking opportunities
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Biopolymer Congress
Opening remarks and greetings
- Welcome and opening remarks by the organizers POLYKUM & WIN-Verlag
- Greetings from a representative of German politics
- Greetings from a representative of Austrian politics
Keynote speeches
09:15 - 09:45
Polymer biodegradation – from basic science to real-world relevance
ETH Zurich
09:45 - 10:15
Current market situation for biopolymers
Plastics Europe Deutschland
Partner country Austria
Presentation of our partner country Austria with 3 expert presentations
Challenges for bioplastics in the field of thermoplastic staple fibers
The topic of bio-based and biodegradable raw materials is becoming increasingly important in the fiber industry. The market is demanding alternatives to thermoplastic fibers based on PP, PET, PE, PA6, etc. – sustainable products – that are in no way inferior to classic petroleum-based plastics in terms of performance and, ideally, price. Is this a feasible challenge or just wishful thinking? What application areas already exist where this can work?
Mag. Dipl.-Ing. (fh) Simon Riepler
IFG Asota GmbH
Three Partners and a Bio-Net - Compostable Netting Solutions
Dr. Rudi Eswein
Plastrans Technologies GmbH
Presentation title to follow
Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH
New biopolymers and products
Wood-based monomers and fillers for sustainable polymers and compounds
Designing for Biobased and Biodegradable plastics as solution for end-of-life and current plastics persistence as microplastics/microparticles
Michigan State University
Development of biodegradable antimicrobial nano-composite packaging material for shelf-life extension of perishable commodities
Dr. Sakshi Gumber
BRIC-NABI, Mohali, India
