Kategorie: ‘General’
Exploring the Latest Developments at the Textile Recycling Expo in Brussels
At the Textile Recycling Expo in Brussels on 25 June 2026, our researcher Lena Schmitz explored the latest developments in textile recycling and the circular economy. The event focused on innovative recycling processes, sustainable materials, and emerging technologies for textile processing and recycling.
Discussions with industry partners, research institutions, and other stakeholders provided valuable insights for our current and future research and development activities. The knowledge gained will help us identify new opportunities to unlock the potential of underutilized textile value streams and support the development of more sustainable circular solutions.
New scientific employee
Jovana Obradovic has joined our working group since May 1. We’re glad to have her as part of the team and wish her all the best and much success in her upcoming work!
Our group at the K-Messe 2025 in Düsseldorf
On 9 October, our entire working group visited the K-Messe in Düsseldorf, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber. We learned about the latest developments in sustainable materials and innovative processing technologies. The exchange with industry partners and research institutions provided valuable inspiration for our own work and future projects.
EPNOE 2025
Nils Münstermann and Paul Marten attended EPNOE 2025 in Sundsvall, Sweden, last week.
Nils Münstermann gave a presentation on ‘Chitosan-itaconate as binder for high-strength fibreboards’.
Paul Marten presented a poster on ‘Chitosan-based adhesives for wood and acrylic glass bonding’.
Hot-Line: Trident Measures Movement
New in the lab: Trident. Three testing methods in one device: bulk, film, or melt, we can now measure thermal conductivity precisely and make our research even more flexible.
Visit from Maejo University
Last month, we welcomed Prof. Panwad Sillapawattana from Maejo University in Thailand. As part of a joint research project, she conducted initial experiments in our laboratory and engaged in intensive discussions with our team. The visit was not only scientifically enriching, but also a wonderful cultural and personal exchange. We look forward to continuing our collaboration.
Award for our research into biobased polyester foams
The most recent publication by Fabian Weitenhagen and Oliver Weichold in the journal Polymers (MDPI) was honoured as a feature paper. This special recognition by the editors for outstanding and pioneering contributions. The article entitled ‘Preparation, Reaction Kinetics, and Properties of Polyester Foams Using Water Produced by the Reaction as a Foaming Agent’ was published in the May issue.
The work centres on the development of sustainable, bio-based foams using reaction water as a foaming agent. The results show not only a high degree of control over the foam structure and material properties, but also impressive thermal stability and improved fire protection properties compared to conventional foams.
We are particularly pleased about the award, as of the nine previous publications by ibac in Polymers, this honour has only been bestowed once before.
F. Weitenhagen, O. Weichold
Preparation, Reaction Kinetics, and Properties of Polyester Foams Using Water Produced by the Reaction as a Foaming Agent
Polymers 2025, 17(9):1266, DOI: 10.3390/polym17091266
Visit “MatFo2025”
On April 2, 2025, we attended the conference “MatFo2025: Material innovations for the transformation of the economy and society” in Frankfurt am Main. Experts from politics, research and industry discussed current challenges and innovative solutions for the German innovation system. The new BMBF materials research program “Mat2Twin” was also presented.
Sketch by Till Lassmann
Spruce wood in a fire test: the effect of chitosan itaconate as a coating
In our publication “A fire-retardant coating for wood made from chitosan itaconate”, Nils Münstermann and Oliver Weichold test the fire behaviour of untreated spruce wood and spruce wood coated with chitosan itaconate. While the untreated spruce wood burns down completely, the flame in the coated wood goes out by itself without the test specimen burning completely.
Spruce uncoated
Spruce coated
N. Münstermann, O. Weichold
A fire-retardant coating for wood made from chitosan itaconate
Progress in Organic Coatings 2024, 197, 108793 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2024.108793
Polymer Blends & Eurofillers 2025
Paul Marten and Fabian Weitenhagen attended and delivered presentations at Polymer Blends & Eurofillers 2025 in Lyon this week.
Paul Marten presented the “Development and Characterisation of a Composite Material based on Polylactic Acid, Chitin, and Lecithin”.
Fabian Weitenhagen presented “Sustainable Biopolymer Composites Using Recycling Cellulose from Wastepaper”.
