News

Microorganisms and microalgae can be used to recover valuable metals from electronic waste – in an environmentally friendly, selective manner with potential for industrial application. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB demonstrated this in a study. At IFAT 2026, the leading trade fair for environmental technologies in Munich, IGB will demonstrate how this biological recycling works using a fixed-bed reactor.

to the press release on the biological recycling

A new extruded foam made from polybutylene succinate (PBS), developed by the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE, offers industrial companies a direct path to sustainable material solutions – without the need to invest in new equipment. This approach simultaneously addresses CO₂ reduction, compliance with regulatory requirements, and economic efficiency.

to the press release on the new extruded foam

Fraunhofer UMSICHT operates a laboratory and technical research center in Dortmund dedicated to the development of materials based on fungal mycelium and has consolidated its research activities on mycelium-based materials under the FungiFacturing® brand. The open participatory lab formerly known as DEZENTRALE has evolved into a research facility with a robust infrastructure dedicated to developing mycelium as a sustainable material.

to the press release on the New laboratory and technical center

The processing of crustaceans from the fishing industry, the production of insect protein, and mushroom cultivation generate large quantities of chitin-containing waste. The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB has established a process chain for chitin processing to create added value from these waste streams. These technologies enable the production of high-purity chitosan, which can be used, among other things, for sustainable coatings. Transparent films made from chitosan are suitable for use as biodegradable single-use packaging and could replace petroleum-based plastics.

to the press release on chitin processing

Advancing the circular economy in the metalworking and chemical industries – that is the goal of the “SäureWert” research project. Recovering acids and valuable resources reduces the demand for primary raw materials and the volume of hazardous waste. This conserves resources, cuts costs, and reduces environmental impact. Fraunhofer UMSICHT, together with project partner FNE Entsorgungsdienste Freiberg GmbH, is paving the way for industrial application.

to the press release on the project "SäureWert"

From May 7–13, 2026, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will showcase how the packaging industry can successfully navigate fundamental transformations and complex challenges at interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, located at the VDMA booth in Hall 4, Stand C54. The institute will present packaging solutions that meet mandatory recycling content requirements, along with technologies for designing new, safe, sustainable, and efficient packaging systems.

to the press release on the interpack 2026

How can relevant data from batteries be digitally recorded, linked, and made usable for informed decisions along the entire value chain? In practice, data on battery composition, environmental impacts, and optimal recycling pathways are often incomplete or inconsistent. This is where the new publicly funded research project “DiVaBatt – Digital Value Chain Resource Planning” for circular battery cell production, which started on February 1, 2026, comes in. The aim of the joint project is to create transparency in the battery value chain through digital and AI-supported solutions, thereby enabling a sustainable, economical, and regulation-compliant battery circular economy. The project started with collaborative kick-off meeting of all partners on February 3 and 4, 2026, in Hamburg.

to the press release on the funded research project “DiVaBatt"

Polyurethanes (PUR) are found in many products, such as upholstered furniture, foam or insulation materials, flooring, paints and even medical catheter tubes. The production of these high-demand plastics, however, relies on toxic isocyanate. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed an alternative production process using harmless dicarbamate.

to the press release on sustainable polyurethane production

Is it possible to recover plastic recyclates from previously unused waste streams in order to produce high-quality fibers and films? How can bio-based polymer fibers be manufactured so as to allow adjustable biodegradability? These are the questions being addressed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE in the Zirk-Tex project. As an alternative to mechanical processes, they are jointly developing innovative recycling methods for the production of sustainable roof underlayments and geosynthetics. This involves the analysis of the entire value chain at pilot scale.

to the press release on the Zirk-Tex project

A high-level, 50-member business delegation from Flanders, led by Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, visited the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV to explore cutting-edge innovations in food development, packaging, and recycling technologies. Bringing together leaders from the food, packaging, machinery, chemical, wood, and textile sectors, the visit capped a multi-day tour of Bavaria and highlighted the growing momentum behind cross-border cooperation to build a sustainable and resilient industrial future for Europe.

to the press release on the pioneering partnership

New European regulations aim to increase the use of recycled materials in plastic products and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. At the same time, the shortage of single-type plastic waste and the technical and financial effort required for recycling-friendly design remain significant hurdles. Innovative approaches and close cooperation between industry, research, and policy are needed to overcome these challenges. The eighth “Forum Plastic Recyclates” will take place on March 25–26, 2026, in Darmstadt, focusing on practical issues in the mechanical recycling of plastics. Program and registration are now available online.

to the press release on the Forum Plastic Recyclates

Every year, each person in Germany produces around 600 kilograms of waste. Can this amount be reduced by sharing and reusing tools, appliances, or leisure equipment? This question is the focus of the research project "Investigation, development, and evaluation of structures and centers for sharing at the municipal level." The partners – the city of Essen, Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and the Fraunhofer institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT – met in Oberhausen for the kick-off.

to the press release on the research project

Fraunhofer UMSICHT investigated for Interzero how sustainable the use of used IT equipment is. The results show that giving smartphones, tablets and other devices a second life can reduce greenhouse gases by up to 37 percent.

to the press release on the use of used IT equipment

How can the state of Brandenburg benefit from a circular textile industry? This question is addressed in the new policy paper "Closing the loop in the textile industry: Value creation in the state of Brandenburg." Based on the „TexPHB“ feasibility study funded by the Brandenburg Ministry of Climate Protection, it shows how textile waste can be integrated into new value chains.

to the press release on the policy paper

Taking place in Hong Kong on 9 October, the International GreenTech Symposium 2025 was a major event for anyone interested in sustainable technology and resource management.

to the press release on the GreenTech Symposium 2025

In its annual study for the circular economy service provider Interzero, Fraunhofer UMSICHT examined the climate effects and resource savings achieved through recycling and circular economy solutions. In 2024, Interzero was able to save around 1.04 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 8.09 million tons of primary resources. The biggest driver of savings at Interzero: the recycling of plastics.

to the press release on the annual study for Interzero

The “System Integration” subproject plays a central role in Carbon2Chem^®. All the results are brought together, and technological transformation paths for recycling CO₂ from industrial process gases are developed and evaluated. In this interview, Dr. Thorsten Wack explains how this process works in practice and describes the tools used.

to the interview on the subproject “System Integration”

An innovative chemical process developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP enables the complete recycling of particleboards. In collaboration with the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development HNEE, System 180 GmbH, and PreZero Holz GmbH, the institute has demonstrated that new wood components can be produced without the use of virgin material. The project was funded by the Agency for Renewable Resources FNR through the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Home Affairs BMLEH.

to the press release on recycling chipboard

How can recyclates be enhanced to reliably perform in demanding, long-lasting applications? From October 8-15, 2025, the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF will answer this question at the K Trade Fair in Düsseldorf. Visit the Fraunhofer booth in Hall 7.0, Stand 70SC05. Visitors will learn how intelligent material strategies can make the circular economy fit for the future and how high-quality plastics can improve the performance and reliability of technical components. The focus here is on smart additive concepts and practical material testing.

to the press release on advanced materials for the circular economy

After many years of research, the Mibelle Group, LanzaTech and the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB have achieved a breakthrough in sustainable innovation: With the help of modern biotechnology, the partners have developed a CO₂-based ingredient that can replace palm oil in cosmetics and other everyday products. 

to the press release on CO₂ recycling

Sewage treatment plants do more than just clean wastewater. They are also sources of raw materials. In the KoalAplan project, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB are working with partners to recover high-quality products from municipal wastewater. These include ammonium, hydrogen and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which can be used to produce bio-based and biodegradable plastics.

to the press release on harnessing municipal wastewater as a resource

Carbon2Chem^® is on the home stretch: In the current third and final phase of the joint research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the aim is to prepare the concepts and technologies developed for CO₂ recycling for industrial application in the steel industry and for transfer to other sectors. We asked Dr.-Ing. Torsten Müller what this means for the work in the "Coordination and Communication" subproject. In this interview, he provides insights into current tasks, presents the most important results, and talks about the economic significance of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU).

to the interview on Carbon2Chem®

In the Carbon2Chem^® joint project, CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases is converted into sustainable methanol with the help of hydrogen. This methanol is now being used in the "Power2Polymers" project: It is first processed into paraformaldehyde and then into novel polyols, which in turn form the basis for adhesives, coating materials, lubricants and sealants.

to the press release on the project "Power2Polymers"

The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will be demonstrating how plastics can be successfully recovered from complex plastic mixtures at the K trade fair for plastics and rubber from October 8-15 in Düsseldorf. With the solvent-based recycling process developed at the Fraunhofer IVV, a wide variety of plastics from packaging, but also from the automotive, electronics, construction and textile sectors, can be recycled and processed into high-purity plastic recyclates. In this way, waste fractions that cannot be recycled using conventional recycling processes according to the state of the art become available for a circular economy with the solvent-based process. The Fraunhofer IVV will be exhibiting at the stand of the Fraunhofer Cluster Circular Plastics Economy CCPE in hall 7.0, stand 70SC05 under the motto "Bridge the Gap to Circularity".

to the press release on the recycling process at the K trade fair

In the KIOptiPack innovation lab, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV are working with 51 partners from in-dustry and the research sector to develop innovative AI-driven optimization tools and a data space that connects all of the stakeholders in the packaging industry and their data. The goal is to use AI tools to recycle plastic packaging in the future.

to the press release on the project "KIOptiPack"

The new STARS research project started with a kick-off in March with the aim of making steel mill slag usable as a raw material for the production of high-quality end products for solar thermal processes over the next three years. The project partners German Aerospace Center (DLR) (lead), thyssenkrupp MillServices & Systems GmbH and LWK-PlasmaCeramic GmbH are researching sustainable solutions for a green circular economy. Fraunhofer UMSICHT is evaluating the new products and processes to be developed from an ecological perspective. The project is funded by the EU and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

to the press release on the project launch

Users of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals", are under pressure due to regulatory proposals from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This also affects the use of fluoroelastomers, whose economic significance is enormous. Fraunhofer experts initiated the "HATE-Fluor" project at the beginning of February. Together, they want to develop high-performance elastomer compounds to replace fluoropolymers in certain technical applications. Various industries can benefit from this, including manufacturers of semi-finished and finished parts as well as companies in mechanical engineering industry, medical engineering, clean room and semiconductor technology, chemical process technology and electrical applications.

to the press release on the project "HATE-Fluor"

The development of high-quality, halogen-free flame retardants (hffr) for recycled plastics to meet increasing recycling quotas is a major challenge. The Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF is looking for partners for the new project "hffr-Up2Cycle". The main objective of this project is to upgrade PCR materials with halogen-free flame retardants (hffr) and to investigate these materials through the simulation of closed-loop processes for plastics containing flame retardants in the sections of electronics, automotive, construction and cable applications. The project is aimed at OEMs, manufacturers of plastic components, raw material suppliers, compound developers and industry associations.

to the press release on the project "hffr-Up2Cycle"

At the beginning of March, the third funding period commenced for the Open Hybrid LabFactory (OHLF) research campus, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). In collaboration with Volkswagen, the Technische Universität Braunschweig, the Fraunhofer Center Circular Economy for Mobility CCEM, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences and 35 further partners, practice-oriented and efficient solutions for a sustainable circular economy in the automotive industry are being developed at the OHLF within the scope of this funding phase. For this purpose, the BMBF is providing a funding volume of ten million euros, which will cover three major research projects and a duration of five years. A central component of this initiative is the “CirProTech” project, the kick-off meeting for which took place in Wolfsburg at the end of March.

to the press release on the project “CirProTech”

On March 12 and 13, everything revolved around new solutions, ideas and developments for the realization of a circular economy: The Circular Valley Convention 2025 took place for the first time in Düsseldorf and brought together numerous interested parties from industry, research, politics and society. Messe Düsseldorf organized the event in collaboration with the Circular Valley Foundation and with scientific support from Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the lead institute of the Fraunhofer Cluster CCPE.

to the press release on the Circular Valley Convention 2025

From May 3-8, 2025, the leading international trade fair IFFA in Frankfurt am Main will revolve around the topic "Technology for Meat and Alternative Proteins". In line with this, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will be showing how alternative ingredients and textured proteins can be used to create meat substitute products with the typical meat structure. Technologies for automated cleaning will be presented for resource-saving and efficient production. The Fraunhofer IVV will be exhibiting at the VDMA stand C31 in Hall 11.

to the press release on the IFFA

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP have developed a foil that changes into polyurethane foam (PU foam) when heated – entirely without health risks. The foil allows for isocyanate-free foaming, thus improving workplace safety. Additionally, it offers logistics advantages for storage and transportation. The material can be customized for various applications ranging from the automotive and construction industries to packaging.

to the press release on the new foil

Banks along inland waterways are exposed to shipping and tidal forces. In order to prevent erosion, these are usually technically secured by stone embankments or walls. However, this has a negative impact on the ecosystems. In the joint research project "Bioshoreline" - funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture - the researchers, led by Fraunhofer UMSICHT, developed a biodegradable geotextile made from renewable raw materials that serves as a temporary filter for bank protection on inland waterways.

to the press release on the project Bioshoreline

Freising, Germany – After three and a half years of intensive research, the EU project CIRCULAR FoodPack has developed new processes to effectively recycle flexible polyethylene food packaging, blazing the trail for a sustainable circular economy in this sector. The project partners have applied and validated a tracer-based sorting technology that can separate food and non-food packaging waste. A combination of novel pre- and post-treatments with mechanical or solvent-based recycling processes is used to remove printing inks, odours and other impurities from the food packaging waste. The resulting post-consumer recyclates fulfil the quality requirements for their further processing in new flexible packaging. They can be integrated in new home and personal care packaging and in future, together with a newly developed barrier concept, post-consumer recyclates may also be feasible in food packaging. The project was coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, based in Freising. A total of 15 companies and research institutes were involved in the project. Funded by the European Union, CIRCULAR FoodPack received around 5.4 million euros from the Horizon 2020 framework programme.

to the press release on the EU Project

Circular economy = recycling waste? Not only! Dr.-Ing. Stephan Kabasci and Dr.-Ing. Jochen Nühlen make it clear in an interview that there is much more to circular economy than recycling. The scientists also talk about the challenges on the road to the circular economy and explain how Fraunhofer UMSICHT can help overcome these hurdles – whether by developing technologies and materials or providing advice on the circular transformation.

to the interview on the circular economy

Recycling is resource conservation. This is confirmed by the study published today by Fraunhofer UMSICHT on behalf of Interzero. The circular economy service provider Interzero avoided a total of 1.2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 by recycling around 2.5 million tons of recyclable materials. At the same time, Interzero was able to save over 11.1 million tons of primary resources together with its customers. For the transformation to a circular economy to succeed, new cycles must also be established for material groups that were previously neglected.

to the press release on the study

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Renner, Head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, received the Innovation Award of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia 2024 in the "innovation" category for a novel production process for aerogels that is suitable for the mass market. On September 30, 2024, Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy and Deputy Prime Minister of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, presented Prof. Renner with the award at KOMED in Cologne. The innovation prize in this category is endowed with 100,000 euros.

to the press release on the Innovation Award

Lithium-ion batteries are the state of the art in stationary energy storage, but parts of the raw material extraction are controversial due to environmental and social problems. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has therefore joined forces with partners in the INFAB project to research an alternative technology based on zinc-ion batteries. The project covered all process stages, from the development of cell chemistry and manufacturing processes to the battery management system.

to the press release on the project

Fungi have more to offer than meets the eye. Their thread-like cells, which grow extensively and out of sight underground like a network of roots, offer huge potential for producing sustainable, biodegradable materials. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam Science Park are using this mycelium to develop a wide range of recyclable products, from wallets and insulation to packaging.

to the press release on the fungal mycelium

Regional conflicts over the use of water resources are rather common and will continue to intensify as a result of climate change and the increasing strain on natural water resources. Water-intensive agriculture in particular is dependent on efficient solutions. In the HypoWave+ research project, a farm in Lower Saxony is currently implementing a particularly water-efficient process for the hydroponic cultivation of vegetables using high-quality recycled wastewater. On August 20, 2024, media representatives are invited to explore the large-scale implementation as part of this scientifically supported living lab.

to the press release on the living lab

Following five years of intense research, the Circular Flooring consortium has proven that it is possible to produce plasticiser-free PVC recyclates from end-of-life flexible floor coverings. The solvent-based recycling process, which is operated with CreaSolv® formulations1 jointly developed by Fraunhofer IVV and CreaCycle, can efficiently remove critical legacy plasticisers from waste PVC flooring. The recovered PVC complies with EU REACH legislation and can therefore be used to produce new PVC flooring. The project thus supports the EU objective of establishing a European circular economy. In addition, the consortium has demonstrated the technical feasibility of the process on a pilot scale, paving the way for scaling up to commercial dimensions. The Fraunhofer Institute for Processing Engineering and Packaging IVV in Freising, Germany, carried out the project together with ten companies and research facilities from five European countries. The European Union provided Circular Flooring with funding of around €5.4 million from its Horizon 2020 programme.

to the interview on Circular Flooring

In the Syschemiq project, 21 organizations from all over Europe have been working for around 1.5 years to improve plastic recycling in the trilateral region of Belgium, the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia. Dr. Anna Kerps, Sustainability and Participation Department at Fraunhofer UMSICHT, explains in an interview how systems for the collection, sorting and pre-treatment of plastic can be optimized, how awareness of the issue should be raised in society and why life cycle assessments are so important for design for recycling.

to the interview on the project

Within the framework of his summer tour, Lower Saxony’s Minister for Science and Culture, Falko Mohrs, visited the Fraunhofer institutes for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI and for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST in Braunschweig on the 8th of July 2024.

to the press release on the visit of the Science Minister

Enormous quantities of raw materials are required for the conversion of the energy system, for example, in the form of copper and aluminum cables to connect renewable generators to the grid. One promising approach to save raw materials is to move from the low to the medium-voltage level in renewable energy power plants. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE sees a huge potential for savings with higher system voltages, especially in large PV power plants. The institute is planning first pilot power plants with this technology and is aiming for a broad market launch together with industry. To kick-off its new research topic "Medium Voltage – A Resource-Efficient Way to Interconnect", Fraunhofer ISE will be presenting the world's first medium-voltage PV string inverter and a medium-voltage battery inverter at the Smarter E trade fair in Munich (June 19-21).

to the press release on medium voltage

Flexible, disposable plastic films used in shopping or garbage bags are made mainly from petroleum-based low-density polyethylene (LDPE). These films, however, come with a large carbon footprint and contribute to environmental pollution. A team from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP has now developed a flexible and recyclable plastic film material based on polylactide (PLA) bioplastic and paved the way for its commercialization. Their efforts have earned the researchers the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize for 2024.

to the press release on new plastic film material

The new “Zukunftslabor Circular Economy“ (Future Lab Circular Economy) will conduct research into innovative, digital solutions for the sustainable and efficient utilization of natural resources. For this purpose, it will receive 3.7 million euros from the Niedersächsisches Wissenschaftsministerium (Lower Saxony ministry for science and culture) and the Volkswagen Foundation for a project duration of five years.

to the press release on new future lab

From June 10-14, 2024, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will be exhibiting at ACHEMA in Frankfurt am Main at the booth of the Fraunhofer Chemistry Alliance in Hall 6.0, Booth D49. In line with this year's trade fair motto "INSPIRING SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS", the Fraunhofer IVV will be presenting high-performance, plant-based alternatives to mineral oil-based lubricants and lubricant additives as well as an innovative GC sensor system for the efficient quality assurance of processes and materials.

to the press release on the event

Under the motto "Water reuse for a sustainable future", Fraunhofer UMSICHT is presenting various technologies for water recycling and wastewater treatment at this year's IFAT in Munich. The focus is on the improved separation of pollutants and greater resource and energy efficiency.

to the press release on the event

A new EU regulation provides for a ban on small individual packaging made from disposable plastic for coffee creamers. These consist of a polystyrene base film and an aluminum lid, both of which are usually incinerated after use. An alternative in the hospitality industry, e.g. in bakeries, cafés or in the travel sector, are reusable solutions. Fraunhofer UMSICHT carried out a life cycle assessment for the company frischli Milchwerke to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of reusable solutions such as ceramic jugs or thermos flasks compared to individual packaging.

to the press release on the life cycle assessment

Nowadays, the topic of sustainability is becoming increasingly important not only against the backdrop of global challenges for industry, but also in order to increase one's own competitiveness.

to the press release on the event

Synthetic rubber is indispensable today, especially for car tires and technical rubber goods. Until now, the raw materials for its production have largely been obtained from fossil sources. Under the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, four Fraunhofer Institutes are now developing alternative, biobased raw material sources for synthetic rubber, which will enable completely new types of rubber for car tires. The three-year project is being funded by Fraunhofer with 3.25 million euros and starts in April 2024.

to the press release on synthetic rubber

Increasing sustainability in the paper recycling cycle and counteracting the shortage of skilled workers: In the BMWK joint project "KIBAPap", the Fraunhofer IVV and its project partners are developing a self-learning assistance system for machine operators that makes a significant contribution to reducing resource requirements in the highly complex process of paper production from waste paper. In addition, it enables the sustainable safeguarding of experience in the company and thus offers an answer to the challenges of the shortage of skilled workers. On February 19, 2024, the "KIBAPap" research project was presented with the European Paper Recycling Award 2023 for innovative technologies and R&D in Brussels.

to the press release on the award

In a functioning circular economy, different sectors must work together and symbioses between different technologies are a key prerequisite. To achieve this, systemic change is necessary. A consortium of 35 organizations from various countries in Europe is working on this in the Horizon Europe Innovation Action project entitled "Sustainable Circular Economy Transition: from Industrial Symbiosis to Hubs for Circularity (IS2H4C)" under the leadership of the University of Twente (NL). The four-year project aims to establish four industrial hubs: in the Netherlands, Turkey, the Basque Country and Germany. Fraunhofer UMSICHT is contributing its expertise in the field of methanol synthesis and the synthesis of dicarbamates from CO₂ to the Turkish hub.

to the press release on industrial hubs

What is the difference between reuse and recycling? How should the German term Mehrweg be used and how does it differ from Einweg? For which evaluation are reuse rates more meaningful than recycling rates? Answers to these questions, raised not least by the PPWR (Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation of the EU), and brief explanations of the terms used in the recycling of packaging are provided in the new "Mehrweg-Glossar/Glossary on Reuse", published in German and English. The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML produced this on behalf of the Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg (Reusable Packaging Initiative Foundation) to bring clarity to the often blurred terminology surrounding reuse and the circular economy.

to the press release on the glossary on reuse

Life cycle assessments are often used as a basis for decision-making when selecting environmentally friendly processes, input materials or services for plastics recycling. But what does a comparable and transparent ecological assessment that meets different requirements look like? Fraunhofer CCPE researchers have identified ten challenges and ten requirements in their position paper that increase comparability and transparency in the ecological assessment of plastics recycling.

to the press release on the position paper

Elastomers can be found in many products and areas of application. In addition to their use in tires, many technical products such as seals, tubes, cable sheathing, gloves and much more are made from elastomers. Apart from used tires, which are collected and recycled separately, the recycling of elastomers is hardly possible in many cases, either economically or technically. New approaches and initial solutions for circular elastomers will be presented at our next Fraunhofer CCPE compact "Elastomers - Advanced technologies for recycling" on February 22, 2024 from 2 pm to 4 pm.

to the press release on CCPE compact

To advance the sustainable production of vegetable oil, proteins, and fiber, the Fraunhofer IVV branch lab in Campinas, Brazil, is working to use the full fruits of the macauba palm tree. A new extraction method has been developed, making it possible to use not only the oil from the macauba fruits, but also the other secondary products of processing. Fraunhofer IVV developed this method up to the pilot scale and applied for a patent for it. The transition to commercial application came in the summer of 2023, with a spin-off from Fraunhofer IVV.

to the press release on macauba

Challenges in the mechanical recycling of polycarbonate, opportunities for circular design in the automotive industry or the question of whether there are enough recyclates of appropriate quality for all users - these and more will be the topics of the sixth Forum Plastic Recyclates on March 13 and 14, 2024 in Darmstadt. This event offers expert knowledge on topics such as additivation and stabilization, analysis of recyclates, masterbatches and compounds as well as applications. The conference program and online registration are now available. The new #LBFDeepDive format answers questions from an exclusive group of participants. 

to the press release on the conference

Avoiding waste, conserving resources, saving energy, reducing CO₂ production: On the path towards climate neutrality and in times of energy crises, the circular economy is of particular importance. This is also reflected in the Europäische Woche der Abfallvermeidung (European waste-prevention week), which takes place annually in November in order to increase public awareness regarding the sustainable utilization of resources.

to the press release on the European waste-prevention week

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) has launched the "Forestguard" pilot project to support deforestation-free supply chains as part of the Export Initiative for Environmental Protection (EXI). The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML in Dortmund is working with the REWE Group and Schirmer Kaffee GmbH, among others, to develop an open source solution, initially for tracking the coffee supply chain. The solution combines blockchain technology with other technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and geographical information systems.

to the press release on the project "ForestGuard"

In October 2023, the EU project "SUNGATE" commenced under the coordination of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME and in collaboration with 11 partners from research and industry. SUNGATE aims to engineer a novel, circular, sustainable and cost-efficient bio-hybrid technology to achieve the highly-efficient and scalable production of solar fuels in systems ranging from portable temporary installations to larger-scale solutions.

to the press release on the EU project "SUNGATE"

At the 14th European Forum of the FCPAE (Federation of Chinese Professional Associations in Europe) from 20 to 21 October 2023 in Brussels, Dr Guoxing Chen, scientist at Fraunhofer IWKS, was honoured with the “Top 10 Leading Chinese Talents in Science and Technology in Europe” Award 2023.

to the press release on the award for Dr Guoxing Chen

The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT analyzed the environmental effects of recycling for Interzero in the new study "resources SAVED by recycling" for 2022. The result: Interzero and its customers save around 1 million tons of greenhouse gases and 8.7 million tons of primary resources. The consistent recycling of materials in a circular economy thus contributes considerably to climate protection and at the same time makes Germany and Europe fit for the future as a place to live and do business.

to the press release on Interzero-study

The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT has revolutionized the production process of the high-performance insulation material aerogel. For this, the researchers received the first Innovation Award of the European Association for Research and Technology Organization EARTO in the “Impact Expected” category in Brussels on October 11, 2023. The non-profit association awards the prize to products and services with high social or economic benefits for the EU.

to the press release on the EARTO award 2023

Climate change, over-consumption of resources, international dependency on the supply of raw materials and an increasing  global population are major challenges for politics, industry and society. To address these ongoing crises, raw materials must undergo a similar transition to those in energy and agriculture. In addition, resilient systems must be established to ensure the security of supply in Germany. A key factor in this process is the circular bioeconomy, which is based on the circular economy and the use of renewable raw materials instead of non-renewables. Researchers at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft are highlighting the scientific and technological potential of the bioeconomy in their roadmap “Circular bioeconomy for Germany”. The roadmap includes recommended actions to be taken at a political level to help accelerate the market ramp-up of bio-based products and technologies, and to address social and ecological challenges.

to the roadmap on circular bioeconomy for Germany

The new expansion building of the synthesis plant of the Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing PAZ in Schkopau was ceremonially inaugurated on September 21, 2023. With an additional area of approximately 550 m², the building provides space for new equipment and processes. Research and development work focuses on innovative synthetic rubbers and energy-efficient synthesis processes. The new building was financed with around 7 million euros from funds provided by the European Union (ERDF), the Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

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The mobility transition requires an intelligent networking of all mobility options. Besides achieving better individual mobility with less traffic, it is critical to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles and mobility systems. Digitization and AI can play a decisive role in development, testing, validation and system networking. In KAMO (short for »Karlsruhe Mobility«), we address current and future challenges faced by individuals, companies, local authorities and the environment through knowledge transfer, practical examples and smart technologies.

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Organic photovoltaics (OPV) opens up new areas of application for solar energy thanks to its climate friendly and inexpensive production and its flexible and potentially transparent solar cells. To help this technology achieve a market breakthrough, research institutes worldwide are working to improve the efficiency and scalability of organic solar cells. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Materials Research Center FMF at the University of Freiburg have now improved their own efficiency record, announced back in September 2020, for an organic solar cell with an area of one square centimeter. Now, with a new record efficiency of 15.8 percent, the research team at Fraunhofer ISE has again set the world record in this category.

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How does a future-proof, circular and sustainable plastics economy look like? The answer is a balance ranging from plastics reduction to a sustainable use of recyclable plastics. After all, the increasing demand for plastics in high-value applications such as food packaging, car parts or synthetic textiles requires a holistic change. With four strategic approaches, researchers from the German institute Fraunhofer UMSICHT and the Dutch institute TNO now provide insights into how this future scenario could look like in their recently published white paper "From #plasticfree to future-proof plastics". Both organizations also start a hands-on platform for plastics in a circular economy: European Circular Plastics Platform – CPP aimed at removing existing barriers and sharing of promising solutions.

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Lightweight design is essential for sustainable mobility. Drive shafts made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) with a thermosetting matrix, for example, can reduce climate-damaging emissions. Nevertheless, the lightweight design and resource-saving potential of these shafts has not been completely realized yet. Together with partners, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP are developing a new, very lightweight drive and side shaft system for cars and trucks whose matrix consists of thermoplastic materials. These materials can be recycled and have an additional weight advantage.

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In order to implement sustainable production, sustainable consumption and circular economy in practice, both systemic and technical solutions are required. According to an idea of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, these solutions are to be created in so-called CIRCONOMY^® Hubs. These are Germany-wide networks that bring together partners from science, industry, associations and society to focus on a specific area. Two of these networks have already started their work: the hubs "Material Cycles in the Construction Sector" and "Circular Carbon Technologies CCT".

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What is the circular economy? How can CIRCONOMY^® Hubs contribute to it? What is next for the initiative? And what added value does the work being done in CIRCONOMY^® Hubs bring? In “Four questions to...”, we regularly interview participants in the CIRCONOMY^® initiative. This time with Dr. Andrea Gassmann, Dr. Gert Homm and Dr. Emanuel Ionescu from the Fraunhofer IWKS.

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What is the circular economy? How can CIRCONOMY^® Hubs contribute to it? What is next for the initiative? And what added value does the work being done in CIRCONOMY^® Hubs bring? In “Four questions to...”, we regularly interview participants in the CIRCONOMY^® initiative. This time with Dr. Daniela Pufky-Heinrich from the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS.

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What is the circular economy? How can CIRCONOMY^® Hubs contribute to it? What is next for the initiative? And what added value does the work being done in CIRCONOMY^® Hubs bring? In “Four questions to...”, we regularly interview participants in the CIRCONOMY^® initiative. This time with Karl-Anders Weiß from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.

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What is the circular economy? How can CIRCONOMY^® Hubs contribute to it? What is next for the initiative? And what added value does the work being done in CIRCONOMY^® Hubs bring? In “Four questions to...”, we regularly interview participants in the CIRCONOMY^® initiative. This time with Katharina Reh, head of department recycling management at Fraunhofer UMSICHT in Sulzbach-Rosenberg.

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What is the circular economy? How can CIRCONOMY^® Hubs contribute to it? What is next for the initiative? And what added value does the work being done in CIRCONOMY^® Hubs bring? In “Four questions to...”, we regularly interview participants in the CIRCONOMY^® initiative. This time with Prof. Dr. Philip Leistner, Head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP.

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What is the circular economy? How can CIRCONOMY^® Hubs contribute to it? What is next for the initiative? And what added value does the work being done in CIRCONOMY^® Hubs bring? In “Four questions to...”, we regularly interview participants in the CIRCONOMY^® initiative. This time with Dr. Christian Schütz from the Fraunhofer LBF. 

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What is the circular economy? How can CIRCONOMY^® Hubs contribute to it? What is next for the initiative? And what added value does the work being done in CIRCONOMY^® Hubs bring? In “Four questions to...”, we regularly interview participants in the CIRCONOMY^® initiative. This time with Dr. Anett Hauser, Head of central office Fraunhofer Group for Energy Technologies and Climate Protection.

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Putting sustainable production, sustainable consumption and the circular economy into practice requires systemic and technical solutions. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft proposes to achieve this via a Germany-wide network of CIRCONOMY^® Hubs. In this interview, Dr. Hartmut Pflaum explains the thought process behind this idea and the various ways these hubs can be implemented. He is the project manager of the CIRCONOMY^® initiative.

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