Conference Programme

The conference language is English.

IN PREPARATION

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TUESDAYMARCH 3rd 2026
FUNDAMENTALS OF THERMOFORMING
Training Course for Thick Gauge
Congress Center: Rooms Boston/DresdeFUNDAMENTALS OF THERMOFORMING
Training Course for Thin Gauge
9:30Heavy Gauge
Lecturers: Wolfgang Daum, Mauro Faé, Michel Py
9:30Thin Gauge
Lecturers: Brandon Zechman, Andreas Dobringer, Michel Py, Herb Kittelmann, Mark Strachan
12:30Lunch break12:30Lunch breack
13:30 - 18:00Heavy Gauge
Lecturers: Wolfgang Daum, Mauro Faé, Michel Py
13:30 - 18:00Thin Gauge
Lecturers: Brandon Zechman, Andreas Dobringer, Michel Py, Herb Kittelmann, Mark Strachan
EVENING
18:30 - 19:30Conference Registration
19:00 - 20:30Welcome Reception
A warm welcome to friends and colleagues
Congress Center: Etoile A+B
WEDNESDAYMARCH 4th 2026Venue: Congress Center
8:00Conference Registration
GENERAL SESSION
Moderator: Sven Engelmann / Thierry D'Allard
9:00Welcome to Strasbourg - Conference Introductions & Welcome
9:15"European Challenges in Plastics", Axel von Wiedersperg, CEO, Brueckner Group
10:15"EU developments of laws, regulations for Packaging/plastics", Olivier Laigre, Director Group External Affairs, Faerch Group
10:35"Implementing the energy transition in industry using intelligent electricity procurement and energy storage", Volker Kölln, LIVA Power Management Systems
10:55Coffee break
Moderator: Michel Py
11:35"(Recycled) Plastics in the new R5", Gerad Liraud, RENAULT
12:05"Update on Plastic Impact on Business", Thomas Reiner, Berndt und Partner
12:35Lunch break
HEAVY GAUGE SESSIONTHIN GAUGE SESSION
Moderator: Claudio Bottos Moderator: Sven Engelmann
14:00"Best of each World", Panel Discussion USA / Europe, N.N., Formed Plastics, Self Group, CMS, SE-Kunststoftechnik14:00"Economics of Thermoforming", Dr. Tobias Beiss, ILLIG packaging solutions
14:45Title tbd, N.N., METSO14:20"Pulp & Dry Fiber Update", N.N.
15:00"Recycled plastics / circular economy", Maria Chiara Frijia, Corrado Cecchini, Electrolux 15:00Title tbd, N.N., Ublo
15:20Coffee break15:20Coffee break
15:45HEAVY GAUGE SESSION (Sponsors' Presentations)15:45THIN GAUGE SESSION (Sponsors' Presentations)
Moderator: N.N.Moderator: Marek Nikiforov
15:45 SENOPLAST

15:55 MACHINECRAFT

16:05 PRIMEX PLASTICS

16:15 3A COMPOSITES

16:25 IKT STUTTGART

15:45 GTX HANEX

15:55 BATTENFELD-CINCINNATI

16:05 DELTA ENGINEERING

16:15

16:25 tbd



16:40END16:40END
EVENING
18:30Dinner ReceptionVenue: Strasbourg University
19:00Conference Dinner and Sponsors awarding
THURSDAYMARCH 5th 2026Venue: Congress Center
8:55Opening8:55Opening
9:00HEAVY GAUGE SESSION
(Sponsors' Presentations)
9:00THIN GAUGE SESSION
(Sponsors' Presentations)
Moderator: N.N.Moderator: N.N.
09:00 CMS

09:10 TOOLS FACTORY

09:20 MAAC

09:30 IKT STUTTGART

09:40 tbd

09:50 tbd

10:00 tbd

10:10 tbd

10:20 tbd
09:00 tbd

09:10 tbd

09:20 tbd

09:30 tbd

09:40 tbd

09:50 tbd

10:00 tbd

10:10 tbd

10:20 tbd

10:30Coffee break10:30Coffee break
11:00HEAVY GAUGE SESSION11:00THIN GAUGE SESSION
Moderator: Thierry d'AllardModerator: Sven Engelmann
11:00"Automotive / Electromobility Case Study ", Thomas Höfels, Senoplast11:00"Material Update", N.N., Versalis, Coexpan, Sulapac
11:30"The Olympic Game Vehicle", N.N.,Toyota & Modula
11:50tbd11:45"Achieving sustainable high volume manufacturing of beverage closures from recycled PET", N.N., Origin Materials
12:15Lunch breack12:15Lunch breack
13:45GENERAL SESSION
Moderator: Sven Engelmann
13:45"Energy Accumulation Options", N.N., LIVA:
14:00"Database Plastics in AI", N.N., Hanser Verlag
14:30tbd
15:00"Update of AI in Thermoforming", Michel Py, CIFRA
15:20Closing remarks by
Claudio Bottos, Chair ETD 2026-28
15:30Drinks and iPad raffle
16:00End

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

Conference Highlights

Keynote Presentation:
Axel von Wiedersperg (CEO, Brueckner Group)“European Challenges in Plastics”

Technical Sessions (Thin & Heavy Gauge) – Confirmed topics include:

  • “Economics of Thermoforming” – Illig
  • “Achieving Sustainable High-Volume Manufacturing of Beverage Closures from Recycled PET” – Origin Materials
  • “Artificial Intelligence – Real User Cases” – Hanser Verlag & Partners
  • “Benchmark Comparison – Europe vs. USA” – Heavy Gauge Panel

Materials & More:
Featuring updates and insights on:

  • “New Solutions for the Circular Economy of Tomorrow”
  • “R-PET”
  • “Dry and Wet Pulp”

Technology Spotlights – Presentations from Greiner and others will showcase the latest thermoforming innovations.



Also Featuring

  • Workshops (Thin & Heavy Gauge)
  • Extensive Industry Exhibition
  • Exclusive Networking Events