Polymerevents: Connecting People – Reinventing Plastics | 34th Leoben‑Conference on Polymer Engineering and Science (LKK)

Connecting People – Reinventing Plastics

34^thLeoben-Conference on Polymer Engineering and Science | November 5^thand 6^th 2026 | Montanuniversität Leoben

The 34^thLeoben‑Conference on Polymer Engineering and Science (LKK) marks the golden anniversary of the Verband Leobener Kunststofftechniker (VLK) — 50 years of connecting people and advancing polymer science. Hosted by the Department Polymer Engineering and Science at Montanuniversität Leoben, the Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL), and the Verband Leobener Kunststofftechniker (VLK), the conference will take place on November 5^thand 6^th 2026 at Montanuniversität Leoben.

From high‑performance sports applications and circular sustainability to mobility, energy, electronics, and digitalisation, LKK spans the full innovation arc — materials, processes, and smart systems. Expect bold, application‑driven keynotes from industry leaders — many of them Leoben alumni — demonstrating how cutting‑edge research becomes market‑ready products and how those products set new standards in plastics engineering.

Key themes

Sports and performance: lightweight design, durability, and advanced materials
Circularity and sustainability: recycling, design for circularity, life‑cycle assessment
Mobility and energy: e‑mobility, battery components, efficiency and safety
Electronics and digitalisation: smart systems, data‑driven processing, quality analytics

From Leoben to the world — special guests

Top decision-makers and alumni show how innovation, materials expertise, and entrepreneurship set new standards. Be there when visions become market-ready solutions. Look forward to speeches by:

Alfred Stern, CEO at OMV AG
Eva-Maria Kern, President of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich
Stefan W. Zangerle, Vice President Production High Voltage Battery, BMW Group
Dagmar Glatz, Product Management Environmental Sustainability, dm-drogerie markt Deutschland

Thematic focus topics

Sports

Herfried Lammer
HEAD Sport GmbH

Simone Radl
ISOSPORT Verbundbauteile GmbH

Dominik Brandstetter
Mubea Carbo Tech GmbH

Umut Cakmak
Plastic Innovation GmbH / Institute of Polymer Product Engineering at Johannes Kepler University

Sustainability

Reinhold W. Lang
Institute of Polymeric Materials and Testing at Johannes Kepler University

Simon Stadelmann
ALPLA Group

Thomas Unger
KraussMaffei Group GmbH

Johann Zimmermann
NaKu e.U.

Mobility

Reinhard Hafellner
4a Group

Bernd Mlekusch
Audi AG

Bernhard Graf
FACC AG

Thomas Schwarz
SKF Österreich AG

Digitalisation

G. Steinbichler
Institute of Polymer Processing and Digital Transformation at Johannes Kepler University / ENGEL Austria GmbH

Thomas Krivec
AT & S - Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik

Markus Haager
AGRU Kunststofftechnik GmbH

Martin Watzenig
Lam Research Corporation

Cutting‑Edge Research Tracks

Discover parallel sessions showcasing brand‑new research results from the Department of Polymer Engineering and Science and the Polymer Competence Center Leoben. Each track aligns with our four focus topics: Sports, Circular Sustainability, Mobility, and Digitalisation.

ALUMNI NIGHT

November, 5^th 2026, Live Congress Leoben:

A journey through time spanning five decades. Personal portraits of representatives from the graduating classes between December 1976 and June 2026 tell stories of pioneering spirit, innovation and community. We are celebrating 50 years of networking (VLK) – and looking ahead together.

NAVIGATE TO

Host

Department Polymer Engineering and Science at Montanuniversität Leoben
Otto Glöckel Straße 2, A-8700 Leoben
Tel.: +43 3842 402 2118
E-Mail: kunststofftechnik(at)unileoben.ac.at
www.kunststofftechnik.at

Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH
Sauraugasse 1, A-8700 Leoben
Tel.: +43 3842 42962-0
E-Mail: office(at)pccl.at
www.pccl.at

Verband Leobener Kunststofftechniker VLK
c/o Montanuniversität Leoben
Franz-Josef-Straße 18, A-8700 Leoben
vlk(at)unileoben.ac.at
www.vlk.community