Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Fink, Director of the Fraunhofer IAP and an internationally recognized expert in the field of biopolymer research, considers the new project group as an important factor for an increased integration of biopolymers and biobased plastics into the product range of mostly medium-sized plastics processing companies.

In this sense, the project group which was deliberately setted up in the Lausitz, is to be a nucleation point for the Innovation Center Bioplastics Lausitz, an initiative of Plastics Network Brandenburg Berlin (KuVBB), Fraunhofer IAP and BASF Schwarzheide GmbH. For Prof. Ulrich Buller, head of Research Planning of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the new project group fits well into the current Bio-economy Initiative of the Federal Government and the Fraunhofer strategy for university cooperation.

Accordingly, the proximity to the Lausitz University of Applied Sciences in Senftenberg played an important role in the location decision. Medium term, the project group’s management is to be connected with a professorship for plastics technology at this university. Its students will be given the opportunity to conduct internships as well as bachelor, master and doctoral theses. In return, the University of Applied Sciences offers impetus for research as well as opportunities to attract the demanded staff. Initial head of the project group is Dr. Mathias Hahn who also has been leading Fraunhofer IAP’s research division “Synthesis and Polymer Technology" in Potsdam-Golm.

The project group is supported by the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture (MWFK) of Brandenburg, the BASF Schwarzheide GmbH and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. From the beginning, the project group will be working together with the Competence Network Bioplastics, which is funded by the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.