Lecture evening on the climate-neutral economy

The speakers are: Dr. André Lehmann and Dr. Jens Balko from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP).
All interested parties are invited to the lecture evening “Climate Neutral Economy - Two Research Insights for Change” in Audimax 1 at the Cottbus Central Campus of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU). Registration is not required. Admission is free.

1st lecture

Carbon LabFactory Lausitz - Cross-state initiative to scale up carbon fiber research
We are developing the material of the future: carbon fibers made from renewable raw materials are the key to climate-friendly high-performance components. We are thus creating the basis for sustainable mobility and new top performances in sport. With the “Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz” initiative, a research center that is unique in Europe is being created in the Lausitz region as a cross-state (Brandenburg/Saxony) initiative. The aim is to develop sustainable and cost-efficient carbon fibers, supported by a complete value chain - from materials research to component production.
Speaker: Dr. André Lehmann,  Fraunhofer-Institut for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) Potsdam, Research Division Biopolymers, Head of Department | Department Fiber Technology

2nd lecture

Lusatian bioplastics - from the niche to the global market
Thermoplastics such as polyethylene (PE) are the irreplaceable materials that we all know and that are produced and processed in huge quantities all over the world. However, they also have a considerable impact on the environment, such as the consumption of fossil raw materials and the immense amount of microplastics released into the environment. In the chemical industry, there is now a shift towards sustainable, circular business practices. Is this also the start of a transformation?
Bioplastics made from renewable raw materials have been developed in Lusatia for around ten years. They are intended to supplement mass-produced plastics and in some cases are already replacing them. Polybutylene succinate - PBS for short - is particularly promising because it has similar mechanical, optical and haptic properties to fossil-based PE. The processing uses granulates that we currently produce from PBS. The potential for sustainable products is enormous.
Officer: Dr Jens Balko, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP),
Head of Processing Technology Centre Biopolymers Schwarzheide

Moderator: Prof. Dr rer. pol. habil. Magdalena Mißler-Behr, BTU, Chair of ABWL, in particular Planning, Innovation and Foundation

Date: Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 17:30 to 19:00
Location: Audimax 1 at the main campus of BTU, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 3, 03046 Cottbus

About the "Open BTU"lecture series
From 16 October 2024 to 29 January 2025, the public lecture series "Open BTU" will offer insights into exciting scientific fields. In the winter semester, the following topics will be examined from different perspectives:

• 70 years of art in architecture in Germany
• Our Lusatia in transition - a look at the energy and economic turnaround from a historical and future perspective

With this educational format, which is open to all interested parties, the university's Centre for Continuing Education supports lifelong learning and funds the transfer of knowledge and ideas in the region by addressing socially relevant issues. The BTU co-operates with other universities and institutions. Each lecture will be followed by an opportunity for questions and dialogue with the speakers. Anyone interested is cordially invited to take part in the wide range of events on offer.

More about the public lecture series "Open BTU":
https://www.b-tu.de/weiterbildung/offene-hochschule/open-btu