IKK – Institut für Kunst­stoff- und Kreis­lauf­technik

About us

The IKK – Institute for Plastics and Circular Economy is part of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Leibniz University Hannover and focuses on applied research in plastics technology and circular economy.

A key area of research is the development of sustainable plastic solutions through innovative material and process advancements. The IKK investigates conventional, biobased, and recycled plastics to optimize their technical properties and establish sustainable material cycles. Its core research areas include the testing, analysis, recycling, processing and the sustainability assessment of plastics.

The institute works on new recycling strategies, adapts existing processing methods for sustainable materials, and analyzes markets and market developments in plastic technologies.

As a university institution, the IKK is also active in teaching and transferring scientific topics into practice through events and conferences. The interdisciplinary team at IKK collaborates closely with industry partners, universities, and research institutions to translate scientific findings into practical and economically viable solutions.