Bayreuth Sustainability Days
June 23 – 24, 2026
How will materials be future-proof?
Which recycling technologies are gaining traction in practice?
And how can sustainability, economic efficiency, and functionality be sensibly combined?
The Bayreuth Sustainability Days 2026 bring together experts from industry, research, and application. Two days full of impulses on recycling technologies, regulation, LCA, carbon management, and sustainable applications – from automotive to medicine to packaging and consumer goods.
Look forward to:
- in-depth expert presentations along the entire value chain
- practical insights into systems and applications
- interdisciplinary exchange and networking
Overview
Theme Day 1
Materials in Transition: From Strategy to System
- Keynote Session: Sustainability in the Plastics Industry
- Session 1: Sustainable Handling of Materials
- Session 2: Mechanical Recycling – Focus on System Technology
Theme Day 2
Applications, Markets & Perspectives
- Session 3: Application – Automotive
- Session 4: Application – Medicine + Electronics / Electrical
- Session 5: Application – Packaging + Consumer Goods
- Session 6: Perspectives
Contact Person
Dr.-Ing. Katharina Krause
Expert Sustainability & Circular Economy
+4992150736111
Event Information
Datum: 23.06 – 24.06.26
Ort: Bayreuth
Veranstalter:
Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH
Gottlieb-Keim-Straße 60
95448 Bayreuth
Questions regarding the conference:
nachhaltigkeitstage(at)nmbgmbh.de
Program
Theme Day 1
Materials in Transition: From Strategy to System
09:00
Welcome
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Ruckdäschel, Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH
Keynote Session: Sustainability in the Plastics Industry
09:15
Materials in Transition – Challenges and Opportunities for Future-Proof Value Creation
Dr.-Ing. Katharina Krause, Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH
10:00
Framework Conditions for Sustainable Materials: Market, Regulation, and Trends
Dr. Aliaksandra Shuliakevich, Head of the Circular Economy and Climate Protection Department, Plastics Europe
10:35 Coffee Break
Session 1: Sustainable Handling of Materials
11:05
The next level in mechanical and dissolution recycling of post-consumer waste
Dr. Norbert Niessner, INEOS Styrolution
Dr. Tristan Kolb, Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH
11:40
Chemical Recycling: Basics, Potentials, and Limits
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Gräbner, TU Bergakademie Freiberg
12:15
Sustainability Strategies between Regulation and Competitiveness
12:45 Lunch Break
Session 2: Mechanical Recycling – Focus on System Technology
13:45
Sorting for Plastic Recycling
Tobias Eder, Sesotec GmbH
14:15
Odor Optimization of Plastic Recyclates
Dimitrij Wirz, Zeppelin Systems GmbH
14:45
Practical Insight: Recycling of a Washing Machine Hose
Christian Aschenbrenner, PA GmbH
Dr.-Ing. Katharina Krause, Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH
15:15 Coffee Break
15:45
Technical Tour of Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH
17:00 End of Event
From 18:30 Evening Event
Theme Day 2
Applications, Markets & Perspectives
Session 3: Application – Automotive
09:00
Apples, oranges, pears: Comparable sustainability data thanks to the new VDA 268 standard
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Weidinger, Brose Fahrzeugteile
Janina Nizol, BMW Group / Frank Fischer, Audi AG (Co-Authors)
09:30
Recycled Polyamides for Use in the Automotive Industry
Thomas Götte, DOMO Engineering Plastics Europe S.p.A. Germany
10:00
Sustainable Vehicle Concepts: Practical Use of Recyclates
Christoph Callsen, Dipl.-Ing., Motherson DRSC Deutschland GmbH
10:30 Coffee Break
Session 4: Application – Medicine + Electronics / Electrical
11:00
Sustainable MedTec. Challenge. Accepted.
Dr.-Ing. Michael Ott, Siemens Healthineers
11:30
Higher Value Circular Economy Strategies for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Dr.-Ing. Tom Rüther, Chair of Electrical Energy Systems, Bavarian Center for Battery Technology, University of Bayreuth
12:00
Sustainable Concepts for the Electronics Industry
13:00 Lunch Break
Session 5: Application – Packaging + Consumer Goods
14:00
Sustainable Packaging Solutions: Requirements and Developments
14:30
Particle Foams in the Context of the Circular Economy
Sylvia Könneker, General-Industries Polymere GmbH
15:00
Application in Sports: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability
15:30 Coffee Break
Session 6: Perspectives
16:00
Digital Tools for Quality, Efficiency, and Sustainability
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Ruckdäschel, Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH
16:30
Microplastics in the Environment
Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch, Chair of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth
17:00
Quiz + Farewell
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Ruckdäschel, Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH
17:30 End of Event
Participation Fee
| Super Early Bird until March 31, 2026 | Early Bird until April 30, 2026 | Regular from May 1, 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Companies | ||||
| without evening event | 799 Euro | 849 Euro | 999 Euro | |
| with evening event | 899 Euro | 949 Euro | 1,099 Euro | |
| Research / Students * | ||||
| without evening event | 699 Euro | 749 Euro | 899 Euro | |
| with evening event | 799 Euro | 849 Euro | 999 Euro |
Prices are per participant, plus 19% VAT.
* Proof required
Payment Terms
- The participation fee will be charged by invoice.
- The invoice will be sent 14 days before the event starts via email.
- Payment due: 14 days after the invoice date.
Note: Invoice dispatch guarantees the event will take place
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation fees for cancellation up to 6 weeks before the event: 30% of the participation fee.
- Cancellation fees for cancellation up to 4 weeks before the event: 60% of the participation fee.
- In case of later cancellation or no-show, the full participation fee is due.
Note: The naming of a substitute participant is possible free of charge.
Hotel Recommendations
Hotel Ibis Styles
Modern business hotel, close to the train station, parking available, one E-charging station
Liebesbier Hotel
Art hotel in the heart of Bayreuth, no hotel-owned parking, but public parking directly in front of the hotel with 4 E-charging stations
H4 Hotel Residenzschloss Bayreuth
Very centrally located in Bayreuth, modern, parking available
Hotel Bayerischer Hof
4 stars, located directly at the train station, hotel garage available, has 3 E-charging stations
Hotel Lohmühle
Owner-managed traditional house, centrally located, cozy atmosphere, parking available