If plastics didn’t exist, they would have to be invented

A look into the past

Every new finding, thesis and invention is shared with the scientific community, scrutinised critically and discussed controversially. This is how new ideas are born, while others are discarded. It's a good thing that printing exists. Knowledge thus embarks on an arduous journey around the world. Time passes before everyone is up to date. Technological progress is limited by the available techniques, materials and communication channels. Computing power is limited, networking is limited. Where there are no plastics, there are no computers, no internet and certainly no stable power supply. Megatrends such as digitalisation, AI, robotics, renewable energy and e-mobility are science fiction. If there were no plastics, they would have to be invented.

Data, data, data

The modern natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, medicine and technology all have one thing in common: they are based on large amounts of knowledge. In other words: on data. What was once stored in libraries and archives, and still is today, is now largely digitised and accessible. Observations, experiments and analyses are constantly generating new data sets. Digitisation has revolutionised the global scientific community. Open science brings more transparency and speed to research and development. All of this would be impossible without computers. Whether computer centre or laptop: a large proportion of the hardware is made of plastic. This also applies to electronic laboratory and measuring equipment, microscopes, spectrometers, reactors, DNA chips and so on. Thanks to 3D printing, innovative ideas can be quickly and cheaply transformed into models and prototypes and tested.

Plastics as the basis

Before new medicines, vaccines, therapies, materials, processes and machines come onto the market, years of research, testing and trials are carried out. In the field and in the laboratory, scientists try out what is possible and desirable. Sterilisable, lightweight, flexible and versatile plastics create the basis for basic research. Added to this is the price advantage, which plays an important role in the financially competitive university sector. Some disciplines would be unthinkable without the invention of polymers, others at their limits. Problematic aspects such as microplastics are the subject of basic research. For example, research is being conducted into microorganisms that decompose plastics. If the application of these enzymes succeeds on a large scale, it would be a milestone.

Part of the solution

Climate change and environmental protection demand a move away from fossil energy sources. They are increasingly being replaced by renewable energies. Thanks to modern technology, sun, wind and water supply electricity, some of which is also stored in batteries. The sustainable transformation has picked up speed. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), around half of the world's electricity will be generated by photovoltaics, wind turbines and turbines by 2030. They all require plastic components. Without them, the energy transition would be impossible. We wouldn't know how the planet is doing either. Measuring stations on mountains, in arctic regions and in the sea are protected by plastic components. On expeditions, the material ensures lightweight luggage, hygiene, food and drinking water supplies and the safe transport of preserved samples.

One thing is certain: plastics have played a key role in shaping scientific progress over the past 100 years. Today, research is also looking at the disadvantages of this all-purpose material. With better chemical compositions, optimised product design and more efficient recycling technologies, the circular economy of the future can succeed.

Change of perspective: external expertise

Science and technology have changed with the invention of plastics. What role do they play in technological progress?

High-quality plastics have given us many more possibilities today. They have provided life-prolonging measures in medicine, accompany us as helpers in everyday life and also enable physically impaired people to exercise and play sport, for example. We can no longer imagine life without them. At the same time, plastics are driving technological progress. The development of materials is closely linked to the machine technology that processes plastics. Today, we can use them to produce material that retains its quality over a long period of time.

How do plastics influence scientific operations and where would research and development be impossible without them?

Plastics accompany us in research and teaching every day - in all specialist areas. We use devices made of plastics, build auxiliary constructions and much more. I believe that we can no longer do without them. Technological progress has also made smaller devices possible. Universities are actively involved in pilot development and thus support the industry. In the case of plastics, we have come full circle, as universities were heavily involved in further development in the early days.

What can we learn from history?

The history of plastics is older and more diverse than is often assumed. In the past, many things were not understood and all the more tried out. It is worth taking a critical look back because some of the topics that the industry is dealing with today have already been around. For example, bio-based materials and recyclates were discussed early on. In the 19th century and early 20th century, there were experiments with waste products such as sawdust. Durability and recyclability were also important topics in the East. If we push ahead with research into natural materials, revive ideas from the past and incorporate new technical possibilities, we may find new solutions. Research could achieve a lot - if the awareness and resources are there.

Plastics have an impact on the environment. How can the problems be contained?

Humans are the problem. We handle the material carelessly. If we were more aware of the value, less granulate would end up in the sea, fewer fishing nets would disintegrate and less film would remain in the fields. It's not just the end consumers who are to blame. The industry made mistakes in the 1970s and 1980s that still have a negative impact on its image today. It produced too much plastic and introduced built-in obsolescence. If products have to be replaced every few years, their value decreases. There is also a lack of quality in some materials. We could produce plastics today that would last 50 to 100 years in use. You have to want that. Then there's the circular economy - and everyone has to get involved and rely 100 per cent on recyclates.