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IKV in Aachen

Research for practical use
since 1950

Driving innovation, sharing expertise, building networks

We are your guide to the world of plastics technology. As a renowned research and training institute for plastics processing, we combine expertise, passion and a pioneering spirit to shape tomorrow’s plastics technology.

More about us

International Colloquium on Plastics Technology

Information, impulses and perspectives for plastics experts. Experience a unique platform to help shape the future of plastics technology.
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Center for Analysis and Testing of Plastics (KAP)

We have qualified employees and extensive, modern equipment for testing technical plastics issues
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Technology networks

IKV’s technology networks form a bridge between research and industry. The aim of these networks is to promote the transfer of knowledge, advance pioneering technologies and develop innovative solutions for the challenges facing the plastics industry.
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Events

At IKV, we host a wide range of events covering all aspects of plastics processing. From conferences and symposia to seminars and themed days, our formats vary between online and in-person to best suit the topic and audience.
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Safe Use of Plastic Recyclates

Increasing requirements driven by the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) are creating new challenges for the use of plastic recyclates. This impulse event highlights current regulatory developments, analytical methods for contaminant assessment, and technological approaches for the safe application of recyclates. Experts from industry and research will present strategies to improve recyclate quality and unlock new application opportunities.

Information & registration

IKV-Impulse-Keyvisual© IKV
IKV.Impulse. The online event series at IKV.

Current news

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Shaping change together

Over the two days from 4 to 5 March 2026, around 460 participants came to Eurogress Aachen to discuss the latest developments in plastic materials and their processing. A major focus was on the recycling of engineering plastics and packaging.
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Kolloquium-2ß26-Reifenhäuser-Förderpreis

Reifenhäuser Sponsorship Award motivates young talent

Reifenhäuser honours outstanding research achievements by young scientists in plastics technology with this award. This year, the award goes to Jan Kleinsorge, M.Sc., scientist at the Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University, for his master’s thesis on inverse thermal injection mould design.
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Verleihung des Georg-Menges-Preis 2026

Georg Menges Award 2026 presented to Markus Lüling

The Georg Menges Award 2026 has been presented to Markus Lüling, Editor-in-Chief of the trade magazine K-PROFI. The jury recognises his many years of influential work in promoting well-founded, independent and transfer-oriented specialist journalism within the plastics industry.
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33.-Kolloquium-Vitrimere

Mechanical recycling of CFRP – Vitrimers as enablers

Fiber-reinforced plastics are key materials for lightweight construction – but recycling them remains a challenge. With vitrimers, IKV is developing a new matrix class that enables the material recycling of continuous fiber composites. IKV shares initial findings at the 33rd International Colloquium on Plastics Technology.
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