K 2025 Recap: These Were the Top Topics in the Plastics Industry
22.10.2025
K 2025 once again demonstrated why it is considered the world's leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry. For eight days, Düsseldorf became the center of an industry that is looking resolutely to the future – with innovative solutions, global networking, and a clear focus on sustainability, digitalization, and social responsibility.
5 Good Reasons for Your Career in the Plastics Industry – and Why You Should Start at K 2025
01.10.2025
The plastics industry not only offers exciting products, but also a wide range of career paths with a future. Find out why it's worth joining the plastics industry and what opportunities Career Day at K 2025 offers you to start your career.
Commercially Minded, Clear-headed, Committed: How Jacqueline Fritz Fits in at Arburg
23.09.2025
From business school straight into practice: Jacqueline Fritz made a conscious decision not to go to university and instead opted for an apprenticeship at Arburg – and she has not been disappointed. Today, she works in human resources development, supervises training courses, supports apprentices – and will soon be at K.
Recycling, Technology, Responsibility: How Jacob Manhartsgruber is growing at EREMA
16.09.2025
Commissioning recycling plants during the day, hitting the books in the evening – and inspiring young people to take an interest in technology at K: Jacob Manhartsgruber is a plant and operations technician at EREMA and is also completing his HTL degree in electrical engineering. In the video, he talks about his path into the plastics industry, about responsibility, motivation.
Technology, Plastics, Team Spirit: How Mathias Biermann Got Started at Simona
11.09.2025
Industrial mechanic, plastics technician, application engineer – and always right in the thick of things: Mathias Biermann has found his way at Simona. In the video, he talks about CAD, customer contact and coffee machines, sustainable materials, 3D printing and his upcoming assignment at K 2025. A real insight into the possibilities of the industry – straight from the field.
At Pöppelmann, Young Talents are Shaping the Future of Plastics
15.08.2025
Plastics are often viewed critically, yet they offer a wide range of possibilities for making the world more sustainable. Matthias Lesch, Managing Director of Pöppelmann, is convinced of this. In the video, he explains why the industry is exciting for young talents, what prospects training and dual study programmes open up – and why a visit to K 2025 is worthwhile for young professionals.
Chemistry, Plastics, Career: How Johanna Stritar Found Her Way at Covestro
11.08.2025
What makes a dual study program in the plastics industry so special? How does it feel to be a young chemical engineer juggling between the laboratory, the plant, and everyday university life? Johanna Stritar works at Covestro and gives personal insights into her career path, talks about warm shower water as an underrated benefit—and why plastics should not be demonized.
Shaping the Future: Why the Plastics Industry Needs Young Talents
31.07.2025
How can we bridge the gap between science, industry, and young talent? Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann of the IKV at RWTH Aachen University, talks in the video about the importance of interdisciplinary skills, the future of the plastics industry, and why formats such as the Science Campus and Career Day at K 2025 play a central role for the skilled workers of tomorrow.
Women in the Plastics Industry: More Diversity, More Future
30.07.2025
While the shortage of skilled workers in technical professions is steadily increasing, the potential of female workers remains untapped in many places. The industry is still very male-dominated – especially in management positions. Studies show that more women in technical professions could not only help to close the skills gap, but also bring new perspectives and innovative strength to companies.
Make@thon: Young Talents Develop Sustainable Solutions
05.02.2025
Have you ever heard of a Make@thon? In this format, young people come together for several days to develop creative solutions to pressing challenges of our time. Make@thons are often organized by universities and supported by NGOs or companies. The topics are diverse – from energy production and food security to climate change and the sustainable use of plastics.
PET Youth Camp for Sustainable Plastic Management
12.08.2024
Indorama Ventures, a global leader in sustainable chemical production, has partnered with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and its Department of Education to host the "PET Youth Camp for Sustainable Plastic Management." This initiative aims to educate and empower young leaders from BMA schools in effective plastic waste management, with a focus on PET recycling.
Skills shortage in the plastics industry
24.07.2024
The shortage of skilled labour poses considerable challenges for the plastics industry. In an interview with K-Mag, Sven Weihe from the German Plastics Processing Industry Association (in German: Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie e.V. - GKV) explains the main causes of the shortage of qualified specialists and what measures the association is taking to counteract this.
Foxbase: Start-up with a vision
22.05.2024
The Foxbase platform makes B2B sales processes more efficient. CTO Carsten Dolch and CEO Benjamin Dammertz explain how setting up the software and integrating AI helps improve customer interactions. Various industries, including the plastics industry, benefit from the flexibility and efficiency of this solution. Find out more in the video.
High-performance adhesive for the transportation systems of the future
08.05.2024
When you sit on a train, you probably rarely realize how much technology and expertise from a wide range of industries has gone into its creation. The materials used are diverse. The various elements are joined together into a whole by welding, screwing, riveting, bolting and now, increasingly, gluing. New adhesives are opening up many possibilities in design and performance improvements.
ARBURG trainees get Günter Schwank Award 2023
19.01.2024
Two former ARBURG trainees, Frank Kössig and Dennis Sagel, have been awarded the Günter Schwank Award 2023, which is presented by pro-K for outstanding achievements in the plastics processing industry. The two received certificates, 1,000 euros in prize money and are now members of the "Club of the Best", where they receive regular invitations to network meetings.
Working in the plastics industry
19.12.2023
The plastics industry offers a wide range of career paths in various disciplines. Each has its own focus and gives the opportunity to promote sustainability in the industry.
Borealis supports ZOOM Children's Museum in promoting playful learning in new interactive exhibition "WELCOME TO THE FUTURE!"
10.11.2023
The company Borealis is supporting the ZOOM Children's Museum in promoting learning through play in the new interactive exhibition "WELCOME TO THE FUTURE!" The new hands-on exhibition can be visited from October 4, 2023 and is designed to inspire enthusiasm for science and chemistry.
Plastic Recycling: Plastic Waste Becomes Furniture
25.10.2023
Millions of tonnes of waste end up in our environment every year. This problem is particularly tangible in the global south. But innovative approaches and creative solutions can make a difference. Johannes Kastner focuses on one such solution: combining plastic recycling and design to not only combat the waste problem but also create social added value.
Academic training and further education in Mexico
05.09.2023
ARBURG and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Tec de Monterrey) have jointly launched a four-month academic training course in Mexico for the plastics industry, with the aim of producing skilled professionals. The course began with 16 participants and a commitment from ARBURG to support industry growth and development in the country.
Plastics Engineering Studies at the JKU Linz
01.03.2023
Plastics must be newly thought and designed - that is the credo at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz. From autumn 2023, courses on plastics technology will be offered here. Plastics don't just play a supporting role there, they are the star of the show. Because they are a key factor for both the present and the future.
A true all-rounder: with two apprenticeships to become a turnkey expert
27.09.2022
Oliver Fuss has completed not one, but two apprenticeships at Arburg: first an apprenticeship as a mechatronics technician and then as a process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology. Now he works in the turnkey division, where fully automated manufacturing cells are designed and built.