Düsseldorf  /  March 11, 2026  -  March 12, 2026

Recycling plastics and CO₂ from industrial process gases

Circular Valley Convention

Fraunhofer UMSICHT will be represented twice at this year's Circular Valley Convention: Scientists from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE and the Carbon2Chem® joint research project will present their latest research findings – both at their own exhibition stands and as part of the lecture program.

The event format brings together companies, start-ups, research, politics, and society. It provides the ideal conditions for an intensive exchange on the circular economy and the promotion of synergies and innovations. The concept is backed by the Circular Valley Foundation in cooperation with Messe Düsseldorf and with scientific support from Fraunhofer UMSICHT and Fraunhofer CCPE.

 

From reusable boxes to recycled materials: circular plastic solutions

 

Fraunhofer CCPE is focusing on three topics: a circular reusable transport box as a sustainable solution for food shipping, a child seat made of bioplastic that combines circular design and the use of a single material, and a recycling cascade for the production of high-quality plastic recyclates from materials that are difficult to recycle. The topic of artificial intelligence in plastics value creation will also play a role. “We were already there at the premiere of the Circular Valley Convention last year and are very much looking forward to networking,” says Dr. Hartmut Pflaum, head of office Fraunhofer CCPE. “In my opinion, the combination of conference, expo, and event offers great opportunities to further advance the transformation to a circular economy.”

 

Bringing carbon capture and utilization (CCU) into application

 

The joint research project Carbon2Chem®, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, is represented at the convention for the first time. Since 2016, a consortium of scientists and industry experts has been working on technical building blocks for the carbon cycle. Specifically, the aim is to make CO₂ from industrial process gases usable as a substitute for fossil carbon in the chemical industry. “We are currently in the third and final phase of the project,” explains Dr. Torsten Müller, head of the Carbon2Chem® project office. “This means that we are preparing technical building blocks for the implementation of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) solutions for industrial use. An exchange with other stakeholders in the circular economy is therefore very timely.”

 

Presentations with participation from Fraunhofer UMSICHT

 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

  • 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.: Opening with our Head of Institute Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Renner
  • 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: “Fraunhofer CCPE Session: Chemical Recycling” 
  • 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Robert Schlögl on Carbon2Chem®

Thursday, March 12, 2026

  • 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.: “Germany as an Industrial Power? – Ideas for a Strong Location Using the Plastics Industry as an Example” with our Head of Institute Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Renner
  • 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Masterclass “Carbon2Chem® – CCU from Laboratory to Industry”
  • 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Keynote by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Franke, Director Institute Branch Sulzbach-Rosenberg
  • 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Masterclass “CCPE – AI in the plastics sector”
  • 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Keynote by our Head of Institute Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Doetsch on the connection between the circular economy and energy