Press | Media

How can materials automatically perform protective functions in the event of a fire, and why are sustainable flame retardants becoming increasingly important? The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP will present answers to these questions at FeuerTrutz 2026 in Nuremberg. From June 24 to 25, 2026, researchers will showcase thermoresponsive functional materials and bio-based flame retardants for fire protection applications in construction, mobility, and industry in Hall 4.

A cost-effective and multifunctional filler for paints and coatings could be obtained from chicken feathers in the future: keratin. Researchers at two Fraunhofer Institutes have achieved promising results with this protein.

Since 2025, Fraunhofer IWU has been heading the Lightweight Design Research Field. This alliance brings together the expertise of 16 Fraunhofer institutes, creating a powerful, interdisciplinary platform along the entire lightweight engineering value chain—from material development to validated application in products. The goal is to provide companies with integrated research and development services “from a single source” and to transform innovations into industrial applications.

New findings from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE show how commercial PBSA/PLA blends can be specifically tailored through industrial processing methods to make them suitable for flexible film applications. This opens up concrete bio-based alternatives to petro-chemical plastics.

A novel developed biomimetic tissue substitute combines precisely tunable mechanical properties with biological functionality and is now ready for applications in medical technology. The material was developed in the »PolyKARD« project by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute. From April 20 to 24, 2026, the new material will be presented together with further developments from Fraunhofer IAP at the Hannover Messe, at the Fraunhofer joint booth in Hall 11, Stand D33.

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.

A new pilot plant in Guben is set to enable the production of bio-based carbon fibers. The plant is part of the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz and will make an important contribution to the transformation of the Lausitz region—from a traditionally raw material- and basic industry-oriented region to a hub for innovative high-performance materials. The German federal government and the state of Brandenburg are providing the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP with 53.3 million euros for this purpose.

Batteries must be powerful, safe, and sustainable — at the same time, they must be cost-effective to produce. At InterBattery 2026 in Seoul, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP will present new materials for next-generation batteries. The focus will be on tailor-made polymer electrolytes, membranes and separators, bio-based carbon materials and high-performance catalysts — developed for industrial applications along the entire value chain.

Researchers at Fraunhofer have developed a new system that combines conventional product information, data for the digital product passport, and authenticity verification into a single counterfeit-proof QR code. This solution supports companies in complying with legal requirements while simultaneously enhancing product protection and traceability. The system can be easily integrated into existing printing lines. At this year’s Interpack—one of the world’s leading trade fairs for the packaging industry—the Fraunhofer consortium will showcase the ready-to-use technology for the first time.

Paper packaging offers a number of advantages over its plastic counterparts: It has a high recycling rate, lower CO₂ emissions, and lower disposal costs. However, it cannot yet be sealed without adhesives or layers of plastic—a disadvantage for manufacturing and recycling processes. In the PAPURE project, four Fraunhofer institutes are developing a laser-based process that enables completely adhesive-free paper packaging.