Press releases 2025

Bioplastics have been at the center of the search for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics for many years. They can reduce the demand for fossil raw materials, conserve resources, and help lower CO₂ emissions. For industrial applications, however, they should not only be sustainable, but also easy to process. This is precisely what the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in the Potsdam Science Park is working on, and it will be presenting its developments in the field of bio-based and biodegradable plastics at K 2025, the international trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry.

Whether in hydrogen tanks, batteries, fuel cells or for shielding sensitive electronics – carbon fibers are used in a wide range of advanced applications. At the Potsdam Science Park, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, in collaboration with Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, is developing novel carbon fibers based on cellulose. These fibers combine structural diversity, high electrical, thermal and mechanical performance with sustainability. The project is part of the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. It is intensively supported by the Wirtschaftsregion Lausitz GmbH.

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.

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.

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.

Highly efficient solid-state heat pumps without compressors – that is the vision of Fraunhofer researchers. With the recent completion of the ElKaWe research project, they took a big step towards realizing this vision. The team made great progress in terms of material and system design, and set up the first electrocaloric demonstrators to show the vast potential of this technology.