On September 18 and 19, the first consortium meeting of the KI Hub Plastics Packaging took place at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences. The overall objective of this research project is to increase the sustainability of plastic packaging. In addition to the Applied Plastics Technology of the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, 51 partners from industry, science and society are working together here.
In a nutshell, the KI Hub is concerned on the one hand with how we need to manufacture and use plastics geared to their recyclability as packaging: For example, which plastic can best be recycled and how, which plastic is suitable for which product, and what are the requirements of industry partners? On the other hand, there is the question of optimizing the actual recycling, which ranges from the organization and logistics of waste management to sorting and processing with the help of artificial intelligence. The AI Hub itself is divided into the two innovation labs KIOpti-Pack (design and production) and K3I-Cycling (closed-loop recycling) in two independent consortia, each with its own profile and research focus. The unifying goal is to establish a circular economy that makes optimum use of plastics and does not waste resources, i.e. to close the value chain of plastic packaging as far as possible.
Thus, about 150 participants, consisting of the consortium, advisory board as well as project promoters came together in late summer Schmalkalden. In addition to the presentations of the projects, the project stands and individual lectures, the main focus was on various workshops that took place on different topics. Here, participants discussed issues including the efficient use of AI, data and material flows, and questions of ethical horizons. At the end of the conference, the results of the workshops were presented, bringing the two days to a productive close.
Prof. Thomas Seul, as a project participant in KIOptiPack, organized the consortium meeting together with his Applied Plastics Technology team.
Further information: ki-hub-kunststoffverpackungen.de
