Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT
Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT

News

EU project kick-off: "SUNGATE" – A novel technology platform for highly efficient carbon neutral production of solar fuels

Press release from 31.10.2023

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"

Dr. Guoxing Chen receives the FCPAE award as one of the “Top 10 Leading Chinese Talents in Science and Technology in Europe”

Press release from 23.10.2023

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

New study proves: Recycling makes a significant contribution to sustainable business

Press release from 17.10.2023

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

European Innovation Award EARTO 2023 for sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing process of aerogels

Press release from 9.10.2023

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

Roadmap “Circular bioeconomy for Germany”

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

More sustainability in the polymer industry – Fraunhofer PAZ inaugurates expansion building

Press release from 21.9.2023

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.

to the press release on the new expansion building of the synthesis plant

Personal preferences, social relationships and available options determine our mobility behavior

Press release from 21.8.2023

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.

to the press release on the mobility transition

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  • World Record Efficiency of 15.8 % Achieved for 1 cm² Organic Solar Cell

    Press release from 18.6.2023

    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.

    to the press release on organic solar cells

    New guide to the future of plastics

    Press release from 1.6.2023

    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.

    to the press release on a sustainable plastics economy

    Reducing climate-damaging emissions with lightweight drive shafts

    Press release from 1.6.2023

    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.

    to the press release on lightweight drive shafts

  • CIRCONOMY® Hubs bring circular economy into practice

    Press release from 16.05.2023

    CIRCONOMY® Hubs
    © Fraunhofer UMSICHT
    CIRCONOMY® Hubs bring circular economy into practice.

    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".

    to the press release on CIRCONOMY® Hubs

    Fraunhofer IWKS contributes to the CIRCONOMY® initiative with technology development and consulting services

    Interview from 10.05.2023

    Dr. Emanuel Ionescu is deputy institute director of the Fraunhofer IWKS.

    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.

    to the interview on circular economy

  • "The circular economy means rethinking value chains"

    Interview from 16.3.2023

    Dr. Daniela Pufky-Heinrich manages the division "Economics of Technology and Management" and the Center for Economics of Materials CEM Halle (Saale) at the Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW.

    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 Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW.

    to the interview on circular economy

    "The structure of the CIRCONOMY® Hubs facilitates the development of ecologically and economically viable solutions for the circular economy"

    Interview from 2.3.2023

    Karl-Anders Weiß from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.

    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.

    to the interview on circular economy

  • "The transition to a circular economy is essential for the sustainable orientation of the European and global economic system"

    Interview from 1.2.2023

    Katharina Reh is head of department recycling management at Fraunhofer UMSICHT in Sulzbach-Rosenberg.

    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.

    to the interview on circular economy

  • "The circular economy is an outcome of the desire to preserve livelihoods, achieve climate goals and increase economic power"

    Interview from 08.11.2022

    Prof. Dr. Philip Leistner
    Prof. Dr. Philip Leistner heads the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP.

    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.

    to the interview on circular economy

  • "A CIRCONOMY® Hub offers a completely new way of collaborating"

    Interview from 28.09.2022

    Dr. Christian Schütz, Fraunhofer LBF, project coordinator plastics.

    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. 

    to the interview on circular economy

    "CIRCONOMY® Hubs are a response to the realization that transitioning towards the circular economy cannot be achieved by market participants acting alone"

    Interview from 01.09.2022

    Dr. Anett Hauser, Head of central office Fraunhofer Group for Energy Technologies and Climate Protection.

    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.

    to the interview on circular economy

  • "The vision of the Fraunhofer Bioeconomy Strategic Research Field is to facilitate the circular economy through innovative processes, materials and products based on biological resources"

    Interview from 21.07.2022

    Dr. Anna-Katharina Stumpf, Central office Fraunhofer Strategic Research Field Bioeconomy.

    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. Anna-Katharina Stumpf, head of the Fraunhofer Bioeconomy Strategic Research Field central office.

    to the interview on circular economy

    "CIRCONOMY® hubs are designed to bring circular business forward"

    Interview from 07.07.2022

    Dr. Hartmut Pflaum is project manager of the CIRCONOMY® initiative.

    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.

    to the interview on CIRCONOMY®-Hubs