Best Paper Award and networking trip to ANTEC 2026
Once again this year, the Institute for Plastics Processing was represented at ANTEC, the annual conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers. The trip is an integral part of the IKV’s international activities: research staff whose papers have been accepted present their research to an international audience of experts – followed by a networking trip to visit industry partners in the USA.
© IKV
© IKV
© IKV
© IKV
© IKV
© IKV
© IKV
© IKVAward for outstanding research
A special highlight of this year’s participation in Pittsburgh (March 9-12, 2026) was the awarding of the “Best Technical Paper Award 2026” in the field of extrusion to an IKV contribution.
The winning entry is entitled:
“AI-Based Soft Sensor for Inline Viscosity Characterization During Twin-Screw Extrusion of Polypropylene Compounds”
The paper was written by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann, Dr.-Ing. Lukas Seifert and Katharina Baum. The award confirms the success of IKV research in combining plastics processing and artificial intelligence.
Exchange with international industry partners
Following the conference, the IKV travel group continued its traditional networking tour of the USA. The aim is to maintain a close professional exchange with partner companies, many of which also operate sites in North America.
The first stop was SIMONA Group and its subsidiary Simona Boltaron. On site, Angel Nikolov welcomed the group, gave them a tour of the plant and facilitated an intensive exchange of ideas in the context of specialist presentations.
Other stops on the trip were:
- Covestro in Pittsburgh (Host: Jessee McCanna)
- Farrel Pomini (organized by Peng Ye)
- BASF (organized by Stephen Hanley)
- B. Braun (organized by John Grimm)
Between the company visits, the group also took the opportunity to make a stopover in New York City, which strengthened team cohesion as well as cultural impressions.
International networking as a success factor
The ANTEC trip impressively demonstrates how closely research, teaching and industry are interlinked at IKV. The combination of scientific excellence, international visibility and personal exchange with industrial partners creates ideal conditions for innovations in plastics technology. At the same time, the scientific staff gain valuable insights into industrial applications and global markets – a central component for the sustainable exchange and transfer of knowledge that characterizes the institute.