The Harz Chemical Network (external link, opens in a new window) recently met for its sixth Innovation Day at the Ostfalia Campus in Salzgitter. It brings together companies from the chemical industry and related sectors in the Harz and Harz foothills as well as institutions such as Ostfalia University, Clausthal University of Technology (external link, opens in a new window) and the Goslar Region Economic Development (external link, opens in a new window) Agency. Applied research in the fields of circular economy and production technology was a particular focus: from recyclable plastic fishing nets and bio-based building materials made from mushroom mycelium to automated 3D printing.
Prof Dr Ina Schiering, Vice President for Research, Development and Technology Transfer at Ostfalia, welcomed the participants to Salzgitter-Calbecht. She emphasised the importance of joint research and knowledge transfer for the economy, which is exemplified in the region by facilities such as the Open Hybrid Lab Factory in Wolfsburg.
The Dean of the Faculty of Transport, Sports, Tourism and Media, Prof Dr Marc-Christian Ollrog, explained the historical connection between the university location of Salzgitter and the chemical industry in the Harz region. After all, both have their roots in mining. Where more than 1,700 students study today, iron ore was mined at the "Hannoversche Treue" mine until 1963.
Ten years of the Harz Chemical Network - a platform for dialogue, innovation and visibility
Dr Carsten Steffin, First Chairman of the Harz Chemical Network, looked back on the ten years since it was founded: "We have three goals: Strengthen chemistry and metallurgy in the region, connect companies and research, promote innovation. Our Innovation Day shows that we are successful". The network has also established further training programmes on occupational safety, health management and data protection, implemented campaigns to attract young talent and positioned the chemical companies as employer brands. "Even in the distant state capital of Hanover, it is noticeable: There is added value from chemistry in the Harz region. We can do more than tourism."
Ostfalia researchers present projects on the circular economy and production technology
After Steffin's review, the focus shifted to the topic of innovation. Three researchers from the Institute of Recycling in the Faculty of Automotive Engineering at the Ostfalia campus in Wolfsburg presented their projects in the fields of recycling management and materials technology:
- Prof Dr Max Ehleben used the REVFIN project to demonstrate the opportunities and challenges of recycling plastic fishing nets from Vietnam. Images and findings from his research visit to South East Asia made it clear how much marine litter could be avoided through recycling.
- Prof Dr Dennis Backofen presented perspectives for the circular economy of hydrogen-led systems, which is directly considered in the industrial scaling of hydrogen applications.
- Prof Dr Ingo Johannsen opened up an innovative application for bio-based raw materials with his research findings on mycelium. Mycelium refers to the delicate root network of a fungus, which is used in combination with plant residues as a fibre composite material, for example in the restoration of half-timbered houses.
Further input came from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Ostfalia Campus Wolfenbüttel. Prof. Dr Marcus Menzel from the Institute of Production Engineering presented a concept for real-time in-situ detection of filament shape in 3D printing using optical ellipse matching.
Finally, Dipl.-Ing. Sandra Brunner-Hütter from the engineering office IB-SBH Service & Consult spoke about efficient and modular process automation. The Innovation Day was organised and moderated by Network Manager Angelika Lucht and Prof. Dr Dirk Gunther Trost, who is involved in the Harz Chemistry Network on behalf of Ostfalia.
