5 Tips for Women Looking to Make Their Mark in the Plastics Industry

"The biggest barrier is our mindset." When Christine Bunte, Managing Director of Plastics Europe Germany, says this, she is not just referring to personal experiences, but to a structural problem, including within the plastics industry. After all, many young women still opt against technical careers – not necessarily due to a lack of interest, but because of societal influences and a lack of role models.

So how can you find your own path into the industry? Five practical tips.

The statements quoted in this article were taken from the interview published in CHEManager on 17 September 2025.

The path into the plastics industry often begins with an interest in technology, but this is not always pursued consistently.

Christine Bunte emphasises how important it is to introduce children and young people to technical topics at an early age. Initiatives such as ‘Girls’ Day’ are a good start, but often come too late to fundamentally change existing mindsets.

This makes it all the more important to gain your own experience – whether through work placements, projects or initial insights into companies.

In short: the earlier you try out technology, the easier it will be for you to enter the industry later on.

Why do fewer women still choose technical professions? For Christine Bunte, a key reason lies in the mindset itself.

"I truly believe that the biggest barrier to gender equality – whether in plastics or any other sector – is our mindset," she says. She is referring to societal conditioning that categorises interests early on as 'typically male' and 'typically female'.

In short: your own interests should be more important than societal labels.

Careers rarely develop in isolation. Support and guidance play a central role.

"I've been both a mentee and a mentor, and I can say with confidence that both roles are incredibly rewarding," says Christine Bunte. Mentoring can help people find their bearings, recognise their potential and take the next step in their career with confidence.

Networks such as "Women in Plastics" create precisely these spaces: for exchange, visibility and mutual support.

In short: actively seek out mentors and networks – they open doors and provide guidance.

The plastics industry is more diverse than many people realise. It spans everything from packaging and mobility to medical technology and climate protection technologies.

It is precisely this breadth that opens up a range of entry opportunities – not only in traditional technical roles, but also at the interface with areas such as communications, sustainability or product development.

In short: the industry offers more pathways than you might think. Make the most of this diversity to get started.

A frequently discussed topic remains the work-life balance.

Christine Bunte sees structural and cultural challenges as the main issues here: "Leadership potential has nothing to do with family status". At the same time, she says, better framework conditions are needed – for example, in childcare and the distribution of responsibilities.

In short: career and family are not mutually exclusive – what matters are the framework conditions and an open mindset.

The plastics industry is undergoing change – both technologically and socially.

"Discussions about diversity are becoming more concrete and are evolving from awareness towards action," observes Christine Bunte.

For young women, this means that opportunities are growing. Anyone interested in technology, seeking support and willing to break new ground will find an exciting working environment with prospects in the plastics industry.