Dive into thermoplastic thermoforming and related manufacturing technologies for biopolymers and composite materials!
CUBIC’s partners, COMFIL and Centexbel present the Open Training Session, taking place on 25 March 2026 in Silkeborg (Denmark) in a hybrid format!
What to expect:
The training is designed to foster knowledge sharing and capacity building among professionals interested in sustainable and circular plastic solutions.
The programme will address key aspects of the thermoplastic value chain, including biopolymer yarn processing, thermoforming and forming technologies, foam extrusion and particle foaming, as well as manufacturing adaptations for different polyamide formats.
Particular attention will be given to thermoplastic composite manufacturing and mechanical joining solutions, highlighting recent technological developments and practical industrial applications.
Who Is It For?
This training is designed for a broad audience, including researchers, engineers, technology developers, industry professionals, students and other stakeholders working in the fields of polymers, composites, manufacturing processes and sustainability.
| 9:00 | Introduction | Leyre Hernandez, AITIIP |
| 9:15-09:40 | Processing of Biopolymer Yarns: Melt Spinning, Drawing and Weaving | Robbe De Bisschop, Centexbel |
| 9.40- 10.00 | Forming of biopolymer materials | Hans Knudsen, Comfil |
| 10.00-10.30 | Q&A + Coffee break | |
| 10.30- 11.00 | Product manufacturing adaptations from different PA formats | Julio Vidal, AITIIP |
| 11.00- 11.20 | Advancements in Polylactide in foam extrusion and particle foaming for enhanced applications | Sascha Kilian, Janne Albrecht, Fraunhofer ICT |
| 11.20- 11.35 | Embedded inserts for mechanical joining of Thermoplastic and bio composites | Johnny Jakobsen, AAU |
| 11.35- 12.00 | Q&A | Leyre Hernandez, AITIIP |
Meet the Presenters
• Robbe De Bisschop is a researcher at Centexbel with five years of experience working on European R&D projects focused on polymer characterization, processing and recycling with emphasis on biopolymers. He holds a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering Technology from Ghent University, where his work centred on the recycling of polymer blends. His current research focuses on the processing of fibre reinforced materials, recycling of biopolymers and improving the lightfastness of biobased colorants.
• Hans Knudsen is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Comfil ApS, a company co-founded in 2001. With decades of experience in the textile and composite industries, he holds a Master’s degree in Applied Chemistry from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and has worked in polymer and composite manufacturing since the early stages of his career.
His expertise covers:
- Polymer materials and processing
- Spinning of continuous and staple fibres
- Manufacturing of yarns and textiles
- Thermoplastic composite and sandwich structure manufacturing technologies
Hans has contributed to several Danish and European R&D projects, strengthening collaboration between industry and research organisations. He is co-author of 10 scientific publications and co-inventor of 3 patents related to hybrid yarns and fabrics, supporting the development of advanced composite solutions.
• Dr. Julio Vidal (AITIIP) is R&D Manager, with a background in chemistry and a Master’s degree in nanomaterials from the University of Zaragoza, where he also obtained a PhD in Materials Science. His work focuses on developing new technologies and materials which with MOSES can bring innovative solutions into the market. He has been working for almost 10 years in competitively funded R&D projects at European, national and regional level, only the last 3 years in MOSES, in which he has worked to address advanced recycling technologies and new plastic technologies and products.
• Sascha Kilian and Janne Albrecht, Fraunhofer ICT
Dr.-Ing. Sascha Kilian is a Research Associate and Project Engineer at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT), where he has been working since 2015 in the field of polymer engineering and structural composites. His research focuses on the circularity of polymer systems, morphology based lightweight design and the processing of long- and continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics. He has led several national and international research projects on self reinforced and recyclable composite materials, including applications in electromobility. Since 2022, he has also been lecturing on fiber reinforced plastics at DHBW Mannheim, combining academic research with applied industrial solutions.
Janne Constantin Albrecht is a Research Assistant at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) in the Group of Foam Technologies. His work focuses on the development and characterization of biopolymer and bead foams, with particular emphasis on expandable PLA, PHAs and sustainable foam processing technologies. He has been involved in multiple research projects covering material development, process optimization and experimental characterization of polymer foams. Alongside his research activities, he is currently pursuing a Dr.-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), strengthening the link between academic research and industrial application.
• Johnny Jakobsen is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University with extensive experience in mechanical engineering, composite materials and experimental testing. His background spans both academia and industry, including previous roles as a process engineer in the wind energy sector. He is co founder of FiberJoints and founder of Simat, and has led research activities on composite structures, mechanical joining solutions and manufacturing processes. In addition to his research and teaching activities, he has contributed to more than 60 scientific publications and holds two patents, combining technical expertise with a strong business and innovation mindset.
Learning Outcomes
The training offers a valuable opportunity to gain insight into current challenges and innovations in thermoplastic processing and composite manufacturing.
Location
The event will be held in hybrid format. An online participation link will be provided to registered participants, while the address for onsite attendance is included in the agenda.
Information and Registration
Date: 25 March 2026
Format: Hybrid
Registration Deadline: 23 March, 12:00
