PPI 2026 – Conference wrap-up

The 6th International Conference “PPI 2026 – Polymer Process Innovation” took place from September 1–4, 2026 at Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria. The event brought together researchers, engineers, and technologists from academia, research centers, and industry to discuss current challenges and opportunities in polymer engineering—spanning new material applications, data-driven development, sustainable processing, and innovative tooling.

 

Highlights and scope

  • More than 35 contributions from 9 countries
  • Programme: 1 plenary lecutre, 7 keynote lectures, 35 oral presentations, 13 posters, and 1 panel discussions
  • Focus themes:
    • Sustainable Polymers: circular economy, mechanical/chemical recycling, design-for-recycling, LCA/carbon footprint, bio-based/biodegradable materials
    • Smart Polymers: function-integrated materials, stimuli-responsive behavior, embedded sensors, functional surfaces, multi-material/hybrid processes
    • Digital Polymer Science: ML-assisted material modeling, process simulation/digital twins, real-time control, AI-based quality assurance


Acknowledgements 

We thank all authors, reviewers, session chairs, and the Scientific and Organising Committees; our hosts at Montanuniversität Leoben; and our partners and sponsors. Their support and engagement made PPI 2026 possible.

Fotocredit: Department Polymer Engineering and Science

Fotocredit: Department Polymer Engineering and Science

Fotocredit: Department Polymer Engineering and Science

Fotocredit: Department Polymer Engineering and Science

Fotocredit: Department Polymer Engineering and Science

Fotocredit: Department Polymer Engineering and Science

Fotocredit: Department Polymer Engineering and Science

Fotocredit: Department Polymer Engineering and Science

Host of PPI 2026

Institute of Polymer Processing
Department Polymer Engineering and Science at Montanuniverstät Leoben
Otto Glöckel Straße 2, 8700 Leoben, Austria
Tel.: +43 3842 402 2118
E-Mail: info-ppi26(at)unileoben.ac.at 
www.kunststofftechnik.at 

Organizing Committee

Scientific Committee

  • Prof. Ludwig Cardon, Ghent University
  • Prof. Costas Charitidis, National Technical University of Athens
  • Prof. Phil Coates, University of Bradford
  • Prof. Clemens Holzer, Montanuniversität Leoben
  • Prof. Antonio Pontes, University of Minho

Management Team

  • Prof. Clemens Holzer
  • Dipl.-Ing. David Zidar
  • Tanja Grössing
  • Natalie Sencar