Press and Media

To ensure energy security and achieve its climate protection goals, Germany will import large quantities of hydrogen in the future. Dimethyl ether (DME) is an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, efficient, and economically attrac-tive gas that shows great promise as an energy source for hydrogen and its derivatives. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed a new, particularly energy-efficient synthesis process for its production, which could become a game changer for DME production and thus for the hydrogen economy. In the international “Power-to-MEDME” project, the entire process chain for large-scale production of methanol and DME in Chile was researched on this basis.

Press release Fraunhofer ISE

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.

Press Release Fraunhofer IAP

How can new bio-based and biohybrid materials with improved features be developed faster? Six Fraunhofer institutes are jointly exploring this question in the SUBI²MA flagship project, using an innovative bio-based polyamide developed by Fraunhofer researchers as a model. Its specific properties make it a promising alternative to fossil-based plastics. The researchers will present demonstrators made from caramides, which were produced as part of the flagship project, at the joint Fraunhofer booth at the K trade fair in Düsseldorf from October 8 to 15, 2025.

Press release Fraunhofer IGB

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.

Press release Fraunhofer IAP

Electroactive polymers react to forces, deformations, and temperature changes with electrical signals. They can also deform or change their temperature under electrical voltage. Targeted temperature changes are particularly interesting for heating and cooling systems. Electrocaloric polymers are the key to this. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP are developing electrocaloric materials and processing them into functional components. As the heart of an optimized overall system, they are an important basis for the future development of efficient and compact heating and cooling systems that do not require harmful refrigerants.

Press Release Fraunhofer IAP

In the course of the current PFAS restriction procedure of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”, are coming under increasing pressure. The outcome of possible restrictions is not yet fully foreseeable. However, many users and compounders increasingly wish to develop and offer “PFAS-free” compounds. Today, PFAS-containing additives are mainly used in the field of processing aids as well as tribological and flame-retardant compounds. In these applications, the fluorine-containing additives fulfill certain functions and are often difficult to substitute today; compromises are essential.

PRESS Release FRAUNHOFER LBF

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.

PRESS RELEASE FRAUNHOFER LBF

Hydrogen is regarded as key energy source of the future. The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP is developing and processing novel catalysts and PFAS-free membranes to make the technologies for producing and using hydrogen more environmentally friendly, cost-effective and durable. At the Hannover Messe (Hall 13, Booth C41/2), the institute will be presenting its contributions at the Fraunhofer Hydrogen Network booth.

Press release Fraunhofer IAP

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.

Press release Fraunhofer IAP

Folding boxes are considered sustainable packaging solutions for numerous everyday products – whether breakfast cereals, electronics, medicines, or perfumes. Made from paper and cardboard, folding boxes are resource-efficient in production, biodegradable, and easily recyclable. However, environmentally friendly adhesives are still lacking for completely sustainable manufacturing. Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP are developing and testing bio-based adhesives for the industrial production of folding boxes in the project Sustainable Gluing With Renewable Adhesives (SUGRA).

PRESS release FRAUNHOFER IAP

The odor of recycled plastics is a major challenge for their recycling and requires customized solutions. Recyclates can have undesirable odors that come from various sources, such as microbiological degradation or residues of previous contents. This is precisely where the Fraunhofer CCPE compact on December 5, 2024, on the topic of “Emission and odor optimization in plastics and recyclates” comes in. Prof. Andrea Büttner, Board of Management Member of the Fraunhofer CCPE and Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, provides initial answers to key questions in this interview.

PRESS release FRAUNHOFER CCPE

Hardly any other chemical substance can compete with PFAS, due to their unique properties. That explains why it is so hard to find a replacement for these toxic “forever chemicals”, which accumulate in the environment and do not break down over time. A team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM has succeeded in developing solutions that hold great promise of targeted substitution for PFAS in fields including medical engineering.

PRESS RELEASE FRAUNHOFER

Production of fine chemicals such as those used in pharmaceuticals is typically complex and laborious. An interdisciplinary team of Fraunhofer researchers worked together across different projects to devise a method modeled on a cascade, in which multiple successive stages of synthesis proceed without interruption. This is made possible through the use of novel catalysts in specially adjusted flow-through reactors. The new method makes the process of manufacturing drugs more efficient and conserves energy. In this way, the modular technology platform supports the production of pharmaceuticals in Germany as an industrial location.

PRESS RELEASE FRAUNHOFER

In order to achieve its goal of decarbonizing raw material flows, the chemical industries must cover their carbon requirements from sustainable sources. The direct capture of CO₂ from the air has hardly played a role so far – mainly due to the high investment and operating costs. The partners in the "Air2Chem" project want to change this: They are developing an integrated process that combines the "Direct Air Capture" process with electrolytic conversion of the green carbonate-containing absorber solution into platform raw materials for the chemical industries.

Press Release Fraunhofer UMSICHT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a risk to humans and the environment due to their high stability and ubiquitous distribution. With the treatment technology PerfluorAd^®, Fraunhofer UMSICHT and Cornelsen Umwelttechnologie GmbH have developed a market-ready process that removes PFAS from aqueous media cost-effectively and effectively. The current NRW project Perfluor.Dat is pursuing comprehensive data-based process optimization, among other things, in order to be able to adapt the process to the requirements of international markets.

Press release Fraunhofer UMSICHT

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. For their efforts, they will receive the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize for 2024.

Press Release Fraunhofer IAP

Due to their stability and resistance to water and grease, PFAS chemicals (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used in a wide range industries, but they are harmful to health and the environment. Membranes containing PFAS are used in many semiconductor manufacturing processes, for example. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP have now developed a sustainable alternative in the form of an innovative, PFAS-free membrane. The chemically stable, highly permeable polymer membrane has a pore diameter of approx. seven nanometers and enables filtration of the smallest particulate contaminants. The membrane can be customized to meet specific needs, which makes it easy to integrate the new process into existing systems.

Press Release Fraunhofer IAP

Plastics made of polycarbonate are sought-after materials in industrial applications thanks to their versatility and high quality. However, recycling of plastic waste is still running up against limits these days, as mechanical recycling methods do not produce adequate qualities of recycled material for all applications. Together with chemical company Covestro Deutschland AG, Fraunhofer researchers have now developed a method that makes it possible to reclaim the substances originally used to make the polycarbonates. In catalytic pyrolysis, a controlled process of heating in an oxygen-free environment, plastic waste breaks down into its components. Manufacturers can then use the raw materials to produce new plastics.

Press release Fraunhofer IKTS

Green chemistry can make a crucial contribution to the process of transforming our economy and society toward greater sustainability and climate neutrality. Fraunhofer scientists are instrumental in supporting industry with practical solutions. They will be presenting a selection of their current projects and research findings at the Fraunhofer booth, D49 in Hall 6.0, at ACHEMA, the world’s leading trade fair for the international process industry, from June 10 to 14, 2024.

Press Release Chemistry Alliance

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, bio-based 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.

Press release IAP

Metals can be processed into wires by cold forming - an extremely complex process. However, the lubricants needed for this often do not meet the requirements of the end processors. As part of the KMU-innovativ project "Polyschmierung", five partners from industry and research have developed a new class of polymer lubricants that make the process significantly more environmentally friendly and economical. They are already being used successfully by industry. The project was funded with around 680,000 euros by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) via the Project Management Agency Karlsruhe (PTKA).

Press release IAP

Adhesives are almost always based on fossil raw materials such as petroleum. Researchers at Fraunhofer have recently developed a process that allows to utilize keratin for this purpose. This highly versatile protein compound can be found, for instance, in chicken feathers. Not only can it be used to manufacture a host of different adhesives for a variety of applications, but the processes and end products are also sustainable and follow the basic principles underlying a bio-inspired circular economy. The project, developed together with Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, addresses a billion-dollar market.
 

Press release IGB

How can e-fuels and biosurfactants for industry be produced from exhaust gases and wastewater? An interdisciplinary consortium coordinated by Fraunhofer UMSICHT is addressing this question in the newly launched BEFuel project. The focus is on coupled bioelectrochemical production – i.e. the combination of electrochemical synthesis and biotechnological synthesis using microorganisms.  


Press release UMSICHT

The many issues for which Fraunhofer IGB develops coating processes do not stop at small laboratory systems. Thanks to our excellent facilities, we are also able to carry out scaling concepts such as the continuous treatment of fiber and roll materials (foils, nonwovens).


Press release IGB

The SynLink research project deals with the production of renewable fuels, such as methanol or long-chain hydrocarbons. This means considering the entire value chain from both a technical and an economic perspective – from production of synthesis gas using renewable electrical energy and carbon dioxide, and its subsequent chemocatalytic conversion into fuel, right through to practical application tests on cars and trucks – and demonstrating that a technology readiness level (TRL) of 5–6 has been achieved. Within the project, Fraunhofer CBP was tasked with carrying out long-term experiments for methanol production on a pilot scale with a TRL of 5–6.


Press release CBP

Tape2Grape is a 100 percent biobased multifunctional grafting tape for fruit and ornamental trees, which can be equipped with individual biological ingredients. Tape2Grape is biodegradable and therefore makes an important contribution to holistic, ecological agriculture.  


Press release IGB

They protect pizza boxes against grease penetration, make outdoor clothing weatherproof, and are also found in groundwater and in the human body: perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFASs for short. Some representatives of this large group of chemicals are now classified as hazardous to health or even carcinogenic. The European Union now wants to ban a number of critical PFAS and is promoting the development of substitute materials for PFAS in four large collaborative projects, such as the EU project ZeroF. In this project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC is working with industrial companies and research institutes to develop solutions for PFAS-free food packaging and textiles.     

Press release ISC

The Fraunhofer Chemistry Alliance presents itself at ACHEMA 2022

At the world's leading trade fair for the process industry, ACHEMA in Frankfurt am Main, the Fraunhofer alliance for the chemistry lead market will present itself to the industry as a strong partner thanks to its combined expertise. From August 22 to 26, 2022, the participating institutes will showcase their current joint research activities, which focus on several areas. These include the digitalization of chemical processes, further development of green chemistry, facilitation of scale-up, safety and regulatory issues, and the efficiency of chemical processes as well as the development of a circular economy.

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