Under the motto ‘The Power of Composites - Challenges and Chances in Performance and Sustainability’, the 33rd Leoben Conference on Polymer Engineering and Science (LKK) took place on 20 and 21 November 2025 at the Montanuniversität Leoben. This traditional specialist event, which is organised annually by the Polymer Competence Centre Leoben and a institute in the Department Polymer Engineering and Science , is regarded as a central platform for exchange between science, industry and students in the field of plastics technology.
This year, the colloquium marked a special anniversary: 15 years of Composite Materials Processing and Design for Recycling Group. Since its foundation, the institute has developed into an important centre for research and development in the fields of sustainable materials, modern processing technologies and recycling concepts for composite materials. Under the interim leadership of Associate Professor Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Ewald Fauster, the team is making a significant contribution to shaping the future of this field of plastics engineering in the direction of resource efficiency and sustainability.
When the institute was founded 15 years ago, topics such as circular economy and sustainable material systems were still in their infancy. Today, they shape all research and industry – and we are proud to be actively shaping this change,Ewald Fauster.
Focus on research, sustainability and future issues
The two-day event brought together over 250 participants from industry, science and academia. Current research results and industrial applications were presented in numerous sessions – from Life Cycle Assessment and Biobased Composites to Future Trends in Polymer Technology.
A particular highlight was the panel discussion on the topic of ‘Hazardous carbon fibres to be banned from cars?!’, in which representatives from research, industry and law engaged in a controversial debate on the future of carbon fibres in the automotive industry.
Outstanding young talents
As part of the closing ceremony, the winners of the POLYMER SCIENCE SCHOOL AWARD and the Best Poster Awards were presented with their prizes – recognition for outstanding scientific achievements and creative research approaches.
Young scientists are the future of our industry. The award winners impressively demonstrate the creativity and commitment with which they are working on solutions for the challenges of tomorrow, Elisabeth Ladstätter, CEO Polymer Competence Centre Leoben
POLYMER SCIENCE SCHOOL AWARDS 2025
- Project „SynthoBot“
Sebastian Schöngrundner, Enes Bag, Nedzhatin Remziev, Tobias Weinhofer
HTL Rennweg
(endowed with € 2.500,- sponsored by ISOVOLTA) - Project „Moistprint“
Roland Kasparek, Humayra Dulu, Amine Ceyhan
HTL Rosensteingasse
(endowed with € 2.000,- sponsored by Fiber Elements) - Project „AUTscience“
Noah Luchscheider, Damian Mitchell
HTL Leoben
(endowed with € 2.000,- sponsored by Plastics Europe)
LKK Poster Award 2025
- MAJA KNEZOVIC: Adhesion Mechanics of Steel–Polymer Laminates for BIPV: A Theoretical In-sight
- LAURA ALJINOVIĆ: Influence of raw material on the properties of polymeric semiconductor wafer frame
- SIMON RENNER: A Two-in-One additive for covalent adaptable networks: catalysis and reinforcement in a single step
About the Leoben Conference on Polymer Engineering and Science
The Leoben Conference on Polymer Engineering and Science is organised annually by a institute in the Department of Polymer Engineering and Science at the Montanuniversität Leoben in collaboration with the Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH.
Contact:
Associate Professor Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Ewald Fauster
Scientific Committee
Interim Head of the Processing of Composites and Design for Recycling Group
kunststofftechnik(at)unileoben.ac.at
www.kunststofftechnik.at
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Elisabeth Ladstätter
Organisation Team
Management Polymer Competence Centre Leoben GmbH
office(at)pccl.at
www.pccl.at
