Polymer engineering is facing a historic shift. Global challenges such as climate protection, resource efficiency, and digital transformation require not just new answers, but a fundamental realignment of research.
At the Department of Polymer Engineering and Science Leoben, we address these tasks with a clear vision. We have consolidated our expertise and are focusing on three strategic core areas that will define the future of our industry. Our goal is to rethink the entire lifecycle of plastics – from molecule to recycling, from simulation to smart components.
Our research is now structured into three central pillars:
- Sustainable Polymers: Solutions for the Circular Economy, recycling technologies, and bio-based materials.
- Smart Polymers: Intelligent materials with integrated functions, sensor technology, and adaptive properties.
- Digital Polymer Science: Data-driven materials science, process simulation, and the digitalization of the value chain.
In close cooperation with national and international industrial partners, we ensure that our scientific findings are quickly and efficiently transferred into sustainable applications.