The Stahlgruber Shareholders' Foundation Strengthens Support for Young Talent at the SKZ
Good news for the training activities of the SKZ Plastics Center: In 2026, the Stahlgruber Shareholders’ Foundation (SGS) presented the SKZ with a donation of 55,700 euros. These funds will be used in particular to strengthen the student laboratories in Würzburg and Peine, as well as the associated programs to promote young talent.
Julia Mann (right) and Benjamin Baudrit (left) are delighted by the support provided by Ms. Ramona Jakob (center) on behalf of the Stahlgruber Shareholders’ Foundation for educational programs at the SKZ. (Photo: SKZ)
Donation Supports Student Labs in Würzburg and Peine
“Supporting the SKZ is a logical step for our foundation to promote young talent and raise awareness among future generations about important issues, such as the sustainable use of plastic products,” said Ramona Jakob, foundation liaison at SGS.
Hands-On Career Orientation at Two Locations
The donation funds are primarily directed toward educating and informing students. Among other things, the SKZ operates student labs in Würzburg and Peine, which offer school classes the opportunity to actively immerse themselves in the world of plastics. The SKZ Lab in Würzburg focuses on topics such as recycling, sustainability, and the circular economy. There, through hands-on stations, the young people learn about the sorting, processing, and recycling of plastics, among other things.
At the SKZ Lab in Peine, on the other hand, the focus is on plastics technology. Here, students experience a simulated workday at a company and gain insights into areas such as research, production, marketing, and sustainability. Both formats convey technical concepts in a practical way and make an important contribution to career guidance in STEM fields.
“We are very pleased with the donation from the Stahlgruber Gesellschafter Foundation, as it will cover costs not covered by the Lower Franconia government’s funding for the SKZ Student Lab in Würzburg, making it easier for us to maintain the operation of our successful and highly sought-after SKZ Labs in Würzburg and Peine,” says Julia Mann, director of the Würzburg Student Lab.
Contribution to the Sustainable Promotion of Young Talent
The SKZ will continue to be active in education, training, and the transfer of current research findings, with an increased focus on sustainability-related topics. “We are very pleased with the commitment shown by the Stahlgruber Gesellschafter Foundation. The donation helps us support the next generation in the plastics and rubber industry, particularly in areas of growing importance such as climate protection and the circular economy,” says Dr. Benjamin Baudrit, Managing Director of Education & Research at the SKZ.
With the foundation’s support, the SKZ can further expand its commitment to extracurricular STEM education and inspire young people at an early age to pursue technical careers and adopt a responsible approach to resource management. In this way, the donation makes an important contribution to securing a skilled workforce and to the sustainable development of the plastics industry.
