Fraunhofer Research Institution for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies IWKSExperts discuss the future of the plastics circular economy in Hong Kong
Taking place in Hong Kong on 9 October, the International GreenTech Symposium 2025 was a major event for anyone interested in sustainable technology and resource management.
To address pressing environmental issues and advance Hong Kong's carbon neutrality goals, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) organised the International GreenTech Symposium 2025. The event marked the launch of the International GreenTech Alliance, which connects local and international institutions to advance research in green technologies.
The event was well received by research scientists and research institutes, industry representatives, government officials and investors from across the green technology sector. It fostered the creation of a community that promotes collaboration and addresses the challenges of translating technologies into sustainable, practical solutions.
Highlights of the event
The focus was on technological advances in two forward-looking areas: converting waste into valuable resources and advancing the entire spectrum from hydrogen production to hydrogen utilisation.
- Welcome speech by Prof. Alex Wai: He set an inspiring tone for the day.
- Keynote speeches and panel discussions: Important aspects such as sustainable hydrogen production and wastewater utilisation were discussed.
- Stimulating expert panels: Renowned experts shared their latest research findings and practical approaches.
Dr Gert Homm, Head of Department at Fraunhofer IWKS, inspired participants with his presentation on ‘Waste-to-Value: Plastic Circular Economy’. His input sparked valuable discussions on innovative solutions for promoting a circular economy in the plastics sector. His presentation focused in particular on low-temperature depolymerisation and advanced sorting technologies. He emphasised the urgency of converting plastic waste into valuable resources and encouraged dialogue on joint steps towards a sustainable future.
A big thank you to the ITPR - Institute for Innovation, Translation and Policy Research and Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) for their excellent organization, as well as to everyone who contributed to the success of this important event.
About the collaboration
In May of this year, the university signed a memorandum of understanding with five Fraunhofer institutes, including Fraunhofer IWKS. The collaboration focuses on joint research, technology transfer and commercialisation in the areas of the hydrogen value chain and waste recycling solutions.