Visiting IKT Master’s Students

on June 27, 2023 in Stuttgart

What can plastics contribute in terms of sustainability? The International Society for Plastics Engineering / SPE Central Europe wants to discuss this with plastics engineering students, using highly innovative plastic vehicle components that have received an AutomotiveAward. The event series begins with a session on June 27 at the Institute of Plastics Engineering (IKT) at the University of Stuttgart.

Around 30 students, representatives of the society and members of the award jury gathered in the early afternoon of June 27 at the university’s International Meeting Center. After a brief welcome by the institute’s director, Prof. Christian Bonten, and the President of the International Society for Plastics Engineering, Bernard Rzepka, the discussion gets straight to the point: at three stations, the experts talk with the young participants about the components and about plastics in general.

Keywords that come up particularly often are lightweight design, weight reduction, sustainability, recycling and circularity, and avoiding CO₂ emissions. The students ask critical questions and have details explained to them in depth. The enthusiasm with which the experts talk about plastics and their use for climate-friendly products, and the professional expertise they share as practitioners, is well received by the students.

The representatives of SPE Central Europe are very pleased with the strong interest the students show in the practical examples. Even after the official end of the event, many more questions arise about the future use of plastics and their impact on the climate and the environment. This confirms the International Society for Plastics Engineering in planning and delivering further events with relevant institutes at universities and universities of applied sciences.

Photos: Klaus Fricke