SPE Central Europe jury meeting at the Kunststoff-Zentrum in Leipzig gGmbH (KUZ)
on 24/25 April 2023 in Leipzig
The SPE CE jury meeting took place in Leipzig on 24 and 25 April 2023. The aim of the meeting was to discuss and optimise the evaluation criteria for the AutomotiveAward 2024. Thirty jurors from various sectors of the plastics industry, as well as the SPE CE board and office holders, attended the meeting.
The meeting began on Monday, 24 April, with a welcome in the lobby of the Innside by Meliá Leipzig hotel, where participants were accommodated. This was followed by a guided tour through the arcades of Leipzig city centre, offering insight into the city and the development of the trade fair. In the evening, a joint dinner was held at the hotel, providing an opportunity for introductions and networking.
On Tuesday, 25 April, the actual meeting took place at the Kunststoff-Zentrum in Leipzig (KUZ). Following a welcome by Dr Wolff, director of the KUZ, and a brief introduction to the centre, Bernard Rzepka, president of SPE CE, opened the meeting with a review of past activities and projects. Thilo Stier, technical coordinator for the AutomotiveAward, then presented the moulded-part evaluation in full detail. The current process and possible modifications were discussed. Subsequently, Prof. Dr Endres from the Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy at Leibniz University Hannover presented the sustainability assessment concept he has developed for the AutomotiveAward. After a short break, a discussion followed with the jurors on the evaluation methodology and other questions surrounding the award. To conclude, the board provided an outlook on the next steps and dates for 2023/2024. In recognition of their jury work, several jurors were presented with an award. Following a tour of the KUZ, during which participants gained insight into the centre’s research and service offerings, the meeting ended with refreshments.
Feedback from participants was consistently positive. They praised the organisation, atmosphere, and informative content of the meeting. They expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the discussions and looked forward to continued collaboration with SPE CE and the KUZ.
We extend our sincere thanks to all jurors for the constructive discussion and suggestions for further development of the award and for evaluating the environmental impact of entries. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Kunststoff-Zentrum in Leipzig (KUZ), Dr Wolff, and his team for their hospitality, the informative tour, and the use of the facilities. Many thanks also to Prof. Endres from the University of Hannover for his presentation and his commitment to the AutomotiveAward.
Photos: Klaus Fricke