Student laboratory at the Plastics Center gets an addition
The student laboratory at the SKZ Plastics Center in Würzburg has a long tradition—since 2010, students in grades 8 to 12 have been learning interesting facts about plastics and how they are processed. In order to better illustrate the everyday industrial reality of this sector in the future, Hosokawa Alpine has provided a zigzag air classifier.
Successful test run of the air classifier in the SKZ student laboratory: Michael Meyerle, Alexander Hefner, and Julia Mann (from left) are satisfied with the results. (Photo: Luca Hoffmannbeck, SKZ)
The SKZ Lab is being expanded to include a zigzag air classifier from Hosokawa Alpine
Since 2010, students in grades 8 to 12 from the region have been coming to the SKZ's student laboratory to learn more about the world of plastics. Study programs and training opportunities are also presented to the participants. This year, experts at SKZ have revised the concept of the student lab once again to address current challenges in a targeted manner.
Focus on sustainability, recycling, and the circular economy
There are currently five stations in the student lab that offer exciting tasks for the students: At one station, they have to pre-sort and separate waste, and at a second station, they have to prepare plastic waste for the recycling process. At the remaining stations, they also learn how to separate waste according to density, manufacture new products from recycled plastic, and then test the material. The focus here is on critically examining the handling of plastic waste and the circular economy. The aim of the new student lab is to teach students the importance of responsible use of resources and to demonstrate forward-looking approaches.
Laboratory air separator demonstrates sorting of plastics
The technical equipment in the lab was expanded in the fall with the addition of a zigzag air separator from Hosokawa Alpine. Thanks to its transparent covers, this laboratory device provides students with an excellent understanding of this method of separating shredded plastic waste. This allows mechanical processes to be clearly explained and also tested in practice. This is because the zigzag air separator is a mechanical separation device used in the processing of plastic recyclates. It uses a stream of air to separate materials according to their specific weight and shape. Light components such as film residues or dust are carried upwards by the air stream, while heavier particles such as regrind or granulate fall downwards.
Sparking enthusiasm for STEM careers
"We are very pleased about the extensive support we receive from industrial companies such as Hosokawa Alpine. Thanks to the excellent machinery available, we can offer students a realistic insight into sustainable industrial applications and hopefully inspire many of the participants to pursue STEM careers. We need young, innovative professionals to make the transition to a circular economy,“ says Julia Mann, scientist in the SKZ group ”Sustainable and Circular Products" and head of the SKZ Lab.
The SKZ Recycling Lab is designed for up to 25 students in grades 8 to 12 and is free of charge for participating school classes.
Further information on the new student lab
