Ahlemer Hochschulforum visits ppg >

12.10.2026

Theory and practice under one roof: On 8 October 2026, the Ahlemer Hochschulforum e.V. combined its specialist conference with a visit to ppg > flexofilm in Holdorf. The programme included ‘Design for Recycling’, current regulatory developments and a look behind the scenes at flexible packaging production.

The guests included students from Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Münster University of Applied Sciences, members of the Ahlemer Hochschulforum, and representatives from ppg >’s client base. They were welcomed by Dr Jan Hendrik Paduch, Managing Director of the Lower Saxony Dairy Industry Association (Landesvereinigung der Milchwirtschaft Niedersachsen e.V.), and Volker Haske, Managing Director of ppg > flexofilm GmbH.

New degree programmes and a tour of the production facility

To kick things off, Dr Dirk Hoffmann, international coordinator at Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, presented the development of new degree programmes. Afterwards, the group split into small groups for a tour of the facility. The tours covered every stage of the value chain: from gravure and flexographic printing through extrusion, lamination and finishing right through to the technical centre

Design for Recycling: theory and practice

Following the joint lunch break, Dirk Stolte, Head of Research and Development at ppg >, spoke about ‘Design for Recycling’ for flexible packaging. He explained the reasons behind the challenges involved in using recyclable material combinations. Using a fictional packaging design as an example, he presented real-life case studies that had been brought to ppg > over the years. These led to the development of concrete solutions for packagers and brand owners, enabling them to meet their specific requirements.

^{[Picture is AI-generated]}

Regulatory framework from the perspective of a dual system

In line with this, Manuel Roppert and Azamat Suydimov from the dual system BellandVision provided an overview of the regulatory context at national and European level. In their presentation ‘The Packaging Act (VerpackDG) and the Packaging and Waste Management Regulation (PPWR) from the perspective of a dual system’, they explained the changes and responsibilities currently arising along the supply chain. Their presentation also provided practical guidance to help food producers comply with their regulatory obligations.

Impressions from the event

Practical symposium

The event was organised as part of the ongoing development of the Ahlem University Forum’s specialist conferences. Since this year, the programme has also included excursions to partner manufacturing companies. Thanks to the collaboration with ppg >, it made sense to hold this event on-site at Holdorf. This provided the perfect setting for the theme ‘Science meets practice on tour’: from the technical perspective of the presentations right through to implementation on the production lines.

Tackling challenges together

Presentations, insights into production and mutual exchange formed a compact programme. This allowed detailed questions to be clarified and knowledge of relevant topics to be deepened. Once again, it became very clear just how demanding the challenges facing the packaging sector remain. They can only be resolved through cooperation between all stakeholders, from packaging manufacturers and packagers to brand owners and waste management companies.

The ppg > team would like to thank all guests and speakers for attending and for the open exchange of ideas, and looks forward to continuing this collaboration to tackle the tasks ahead together

Your contact person

Jan Grevé

Head of Marketing and Communication

T: +49 (0) 441 / 50 50 29 40

E: jan.greve@prepacgroup.de