Every year, the RWTH Science Night offers a special platform to make science and research accessible to a wide audience in an entertaining and vivid way. In its anniversary year, the Science Night offered over 80 individual events at ten different locations and attracted visitors of all ages.
The central venue was the C.A.R.L. lecture theatre centre in Claßenstraße, where IKV devoted itself intensively to the topic of plastics technology and plastics recycling. The IKV exhibition enabled visitors to immerse themselves in the world of plastics processing in a vivid way and experience modern solutions for a more sustainable use of plastics.
For the youngest visitors, IKV offered an interactive waste separation game that taught the importance of correct waste separation in a fun way. Another highlight was the live demonstration of the injection moulding process in miniature format - the production of clamping bricks provided a practical explanation of the plastic moulding process.
Adults and those interested in the subject were able to familiarise themselves with various plastic recyclates in a special demonstration and learn about the process from plastic waste to recycled plastic.
The practical demonstrations were complemented by comprehensible explanations from IKV employees, who emphasised the added value of a functioning circular economy.
The presentation by Prof Dr rer. nat. Dahlmann on the topic of ‘It's complex - plastics recycling!’ was also perfectly integrated into the overarching theme of the circular plastics economy. Despite the late hour, his presentation aroused great interest and encouraged many visitors to ask questions. It became clear just how complex the challenges and opportunities in plastics recycling are.
The Science Night once again provided RWTH Aachen University with an ideal opportunity to arouse interest in scientific and technological developments. IKV used this opportunity to show how important and fascinating sustainable innovations are, especially in the plastics industry.