The question of which materials will shape our technical systems, buildings, and everyday products in the future is becoming increasingly important in light of global challenges. Material systems based on biological principles or integrating living components are considered a promising response to increasing ecological demands. They enable the economical use of resources, reduce dependence on fossil raw materials, and open up new avenues for health- and environmentally-friendly applications. 

The 14^th Regionalforum Saar will be dedicated to this topic on 13 January 2026, in the auditorium of Saarland University. The event brings together experts from research, industry, and the next generation and uses concrete examples to show how bio-based and living materials can contribute to sustainable technical development. 

The initial focus will be on the prospects for living materials. Prof. Dr. Wilfried Weber, Managing Director of INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials and Professor at Saarland University, will present this class of materials as an interface between biology and technology. Living materials combine classic materials with cells that can react to their environment, adapt, or form self-organized structures. This unlocks properties that go beyond the performance capabilities of conventional functional or structural materials. Applications range from self-healing systems and adaptive construction elements to novel platforms for sensor technology and robotic actuators. 

Thomas Graf from Fundermax opens up a second perspective with a biofiber-based wood-based panel that does not require synthetic resins. The board uses wood-based resin as a binder, is manufactured entirely with renewable energy, and is compostable at the end of its life cycle. This combination exemplifies how bio-based materials can combine technical resilience, resource-efficient production, and healthy interior design. Especially in the construction sector, one of the biggest drivers of material and energy consumption, such approaches are considered central to future transformation processes. 

In addition to the presentations, the regional forum also offers space for professional exchange and the promotion of young talent. A poster session by students and doctoral candidates in the field of materials science and engineering accompanies the event. The posters will first be presented in two separate sessions and supplemented by short one-minute introductory rounds. This will enable direct discussions with representatives of the Saarland materials industry who are specifically looking to exchange ideas on career prospects and internships. The best posters will receive awards, creating an additional incentive for young researchers. 

The event starts at 4.30 p.m. Continuing at 6:50 p.m., the combined company and poster exhibition will conclude the event and provide an open opportunity for in-depth discussions. The forum will be moderated by Prof. Dr. mont. Christian Motz and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Mücklich. 

Admission is free. Registration is requested.
Registration: https://www.uni-saarland.de/fakultaet-nt/regionalforum/anmeldung.html