What happens when you bring together chemical engineers, business leaders, artists, and university professors in a space designed to challenge perceptions? You get something truly eye-opening—an experience that reframes how we see plastics, sustainability, and the role of art in shaping industry narratives.
At the Global Impact Coalition, we know that transitioning to a more circular future for plastics requires not just technical innovation, but also a shift in mindset. This week our Automotive Plastics Circularity working group met at KunstStoffWelt, LyondellBasell‘s recently inaugurated experience center in Kerpen, Germany. More than just an exhibition space, KunstStoffWelt blends art, sustainability, and innovation to showcase the untapped potential of plastics.
Design Professor Angelika Rösner formerly from the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein and Erik Licht, Director New Business Development of Advanced Polymer Solutions Europe at LYB, developed the concept of using this unique space to reimagine plastics in a whole new light. It also features design pieces by renowned German sculptor Mathias Lanfer, whose work challenges conventional perspectives on material reuse.
The name KunstStoffWelt is a symbolic combination:
- Kunst (Art): Represents beauty, freedom, inspiration
- Stoff (Material): Represents the matter, the surface, the color
- Welt (World): Represents sustainability, the global impact (of plastics), the earth
The Art of Circularity
The Art Walk at KunstStoffWelt features works crafted from post-consumer plastic waste—including plastic recovered from end-of-life vehicles. The pieces on display are not just artistic statements but powerful reminders of plastic’s versatility. It may not always be considered a “noble” material, but its adaptability and potential for transformation are undeniable.
Walking through the exhibition, you can’t help but see plastic in a different light. Every sculpture, every installation challenges the idea that plastic is waste. Instead, it tells a story of reinvention. A car bumper once discarded becomes an intricate design piece. Packaging waste is molded into something thought-provoking and beautiful. The message is clear: plastics, when thoughtfully managed, are part of the sustainability solution.
But as we reflect on circularity, we also need to ask: how do we balance competing priorities?
- Traceable versus circular? Full traceability of recycled content is not always possible—should that be a blocker to scaling solutions?
- Pure versus durable? Purity does not always mean longevity—perhaps like the value of genetic diversity, there is strength in variation.
- Consistency at all costs? Do we always need the exact same shade of red, blue, green, or black, or can we embrace natural variations in recycled materials?
- Monomer versus multilayer? Mono-layer materials are easier to recycle, yet we have developed increasingly complex structures—have we prioritized the wrong innovations?
- The role of ecodesign? Could color coding and smart design choices make recycling and reuse more seamless?
- Right material for the right use? Does every application truly need to withstand >90-degree heat, or are we overengineering at the cost of sustainability?
Breaking Silos, Building Awareness
What made this experience even more powerful was the diversity of perspectives in the room. Scientists and engineers discussed material properties with artists who see creative potential where others see scrap. Financial experts and business leaders explored the economic implications of scaling circular solutions. Conversations sparked new ideas and challenged assumptions.
Too often, discussions about plastic circularity remain confined to industry insiders. But spaces and events like this remind us that solutions must be co-created—bringing together technical experts, creatives, and decision-makers from across sectors. It’s this kind of cross-pollination that drives real change.
This experience was perfectly matched to the topic at hand in the Global Impact Coalition (GIC) Automotive Plastics Circularity working group. In this project, we are launching a breakthrough pilot project to rethink the collection, recycling and production of plastics in the automotive value chain. The GIC is bringing together seven leading chemical and recycling companies to launch a first-of-its-kind Automotive Plastics Circularity pilot, giving value back to plastics.
A Call to See the Value in Plastic
If we want to create a circular economy for plastics, we need more than just recycling infrastructure—we need a shift in perception. We need to show that plastic isn’t just something to be disposed of, but a material with value, versatility, and a second life waiting to be unlocked.
The LYB KunstStoffWelt experience center is a step in that direction. By using art to spark dialogue, it invites people to rethink what’s possible. The experience is a powerful reminder that the future of plastics isn’t just about technology—it’s about storytelling, collaboration, and seeing potential where others see waste.
The Art Walk leaves us inspired. Now, the challenge is turning that inspiration into action. At the Global Impact Coalition, we’re working along the value chain to transform how we think about plastics. Let’s continue bringing people on board, challenging outdated narratives, and advancing solutions that make plastic circularity a reality—not just in the automotive industry, but across sectors like healthcare, food, electronics, and fashion. Plastics are everywhere, yet they remain undervalued and too often treated as waste. It’s time to change that.
