SKZ seminar to examine fillers and additives

The SKZ Plastics Center will hold the seminar "Fillers and Additives in Plastics" on 24 and 25 November 2026 at the Seminarhotel Schönau in Peine. Experts from industry and research will examine how filler and additive systems can help plastics manufacturers balance performance, sustainability and production costs. The programme will provide an overview of current developments, practical applications and future trends, with particular attention to recycling, resource efficiency and increasing cost pressure.

Fillers and additives have a substantial influence on the properties and processability of plastics. They can be used to adjust material characteristics, optimise costs and support the fulfilment of sustainability requirements. The seminar will therefore address both materials science and process engineering aspects of modern plastics applications, including the reproducible and economical processing of compounds containing functional fillers or recycled materials.

Material efficiency, recyclates and cost pressure

Dr.-Ing. Michael Bosse from CIS Nerchau will open the programme with an overview of the role of fillers and additives in modern plastics compounds. This will be accompanied by an assessment of the industry landscape in 2026 and key market and technology trends.

The agenda will focus on material efficiency, rising cost pressure, stricter quality requirements and the integration of recycled materials into demanding applications. Participants will learn how the targeted selection and use of filler and additive systems can support the required material and processing properties.

"Fillers and additives not only enable the targeted adjustment of material properties but also create the conditions for greater resource efficiency, the successful use of recycled materials, and cost-effective production processes. Anyone who wants to remain competitive in the future must understand and leverage the potential of modern filler and additive technologies. This is precisely where our seminar comes in, providing practical knowledge for the industry’s current and future challenges," says Andreas Grzeskowiak, site manager of the SKZ in Peine.

Compounding concepts for circular applications

In response to the growing importance of the circular economy, the seminar will examine innovative compounding concepts and the use of recycled materials. Presentations will cover additives for demanding recyclate applications and the continuous compounding of functional fillers. Process engineering topics relevant to economical and reproducible production will complement the discussion of material properties.

From mineral fillers to functional systems

The programme includes established materials such as calcium carbonate, talc and titanium dioxide, as well as alternative white pigments and fillers including lithopone, zinc sulfide and barium sulfate. Their properties, mechanisms of action and possible uses in different plastics systems will be discussed.

Further presentations will address functional fillers, including electrically conductive systems based on natural graphite, flame-retardant solutions and high-performance fillers. These technologies enable plastics to be tailored to specific application requirements.

The programme will also cover additives for optimising processing and end-use properties. The subjects include waxes and lubricants, pigment dispersion, antioxidants and UV protection systems intended for the long-term stabilisation of plastic components.