First specialist workshop of the ThZM research group EMProBio: exchange on initial results and approaches
On May 20, 2025, around 25 representatives from science, industry and politics met at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena for the first workshop of the new research group "Energyand material-efficient production processes for biogenic plastics" (EMProBio) of the Thuringian Center for Mechanical Engineering (ThZM).
The focus is on near-net-shape production technologies and composite materials made from renewable raw materials. The research partners - TU Ilmenau (Product and System Development, Quality Assurance and Industrial Image Processing departments), Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena (Production Engineering and Production Automation working group of the SciTec department), Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences (Applied Plastics Technology department), GFE - Gesellschaft für Fertigungstechnik und Entwicklung Schmalkalden e. V. and ifw Jena Günter-Köhler-Institut für Fügetechnik und Werkstoffprüfung GmbH - presented initial work packages and solution approaches. Fields of application and expectations were then discussed together with the industry advisory board - an important impetus for the practical orientation of research. The advisory board also elected a spokesperson from its ranks.
The Industrial Advisory Board is made up of representatives from the following companies: RITTWEGER und TEAM GmbH - KOMOS GmbH - wilhelm-plastic GmbH & Co. KG - Formconsult Werkzeugbau GmbH - Arnstädter Werkzeugund Maschinenbau GmbH - WIS Kunststoffe GmbH - KHW Kunststoffund Holzverarbeitungswerk GmbH - ZBS e. V. The meeting concluded with a tour of the laboratory at the EAH Jena. We would like to thank all those involved - in particular the EAH Jena as host, the Thüringer Aufbaubank and the Thuringian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture - for their support.
Over the course of the research period, further workshops will take place at different locations at the project partners’ premises in order to report regularly on the status of work, present research results and continue the exchange with the industrial advisory board. With EMProBio, Thuringia is opening another chapter on the road to sustainable, innovative and industrially compatible plastics processing.
Further information on EMProBio
Kick-off for EMProBio: Thuringia researches sustainable plastics production
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