Press releases 2026

3D bioprinting opens up new possibilities for producing organs and tissues needed for applications such as organ transplants and drug development. However, while existing bioinks are cell-compatible and printable, they do not adequately replicate the physiological structure and composition of tissue. In the PhysioINK project, Fraunho-fer researchers are developing bioinks from the most common tissue proteins to repli-cate physiological tissue structures without chemical modification.

Just a few atomic layers at the surface can strongly influence how effectively a material binds pollutants from water or how efficiently a photocatalyst responds to light. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP use X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to investigate the chemical states and interactions at the surfaces and interfaces of bio-based carbon materials and organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Their insights can support the targeted development of functional materials for future industrial applications.

Halogenated flame retardants raise environmental concerns and are considered harmful to human health. As a result, researchers have been searching for alternatives for many years. Fraunhofer researchers are focusing on sustainable phosphorus-based raw materials derived from corn steep liquor. The phytic acid it contains is an excellent natural flame retardant for biomaterials.

Using carbon dioxide as a feedstock, efficiently storing renewable energy, and making industrial processes less dependent on fossil fuels: Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, and South Korean company SGC Energy plan to jointly advance technologies for energy conversion and energy storage. The collaboration will focus on CO₂ electrolysis, hydrogen technologies, fuel cells, and battery technologies. To this end, the partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

Deep insights into complex mixtures of substances, more precise conclusions about structure-property relationships, and new possibilities for quality control and process optimization: With a new infrastructure for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam Science Park supports companies in the plastics, fiber, and materials industries in developing and improving advanced materials. The focus is on polymer materials—ranging from poorly soluble substances and gels to chemically resistant plastics and carbon fiber intermediates.

Self-actuating textile structures are used in a wide range of applications, such as medical technology, automation, architecture, agriculture, and the apparel industry. An example is the use of shading nets in greenhouses, which can be deployed and retracted depending on the sunlight intensity. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are developing textiles based on shape-memory polymers with reversibly controllable geometry.

Developing the building blocks for sustainable chemistry using yeast—and reducing reliance on fossil-based feedstocks: Since March 2026, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP at Potsdam Science Park and the TAILOR junior research group at the University of Potsdam, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), have joined forces to help make this vision a reality. Together, they offer companies seeking to make their processes more sustainable by using microorganisms an end-to-end development pipeline—from strain engineering and bioprocess optimization to industrial scale-up and application testing.

Bio-based polymers provide new possibilities for a circular plastics economy. Together with experts from industry and research, the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE will discuss the potential these polymers offer, the challenges that still need to be addressed, and will demonstrate their successful conversion into industrial applications in an interactive workshop on September 15, 2026, at the DECHEMA FORUM in Frankfurt.

For the industry, recycled materials are creating new opportunities in geotextile production. In the GREEN project, the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excel-lence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE demonstrates that recycled polypro-pylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and high-density polyeth-ylene (HDPE) can be processed into nonwovens, fibers, and membranes that meet industrial requirements. This creates opportunities for use in existing production lines and new value chains in the geotextile market.

Metallic effects on plastic surfaces have become standard in many industries, from automotive interiors and exteriors to toys and household appliances. However, injection-molded parts with metallic effects suffer from a well-known drawback: visible flow lines that appear as streaks and compromise the premium look. A new method for producing metallic effect pigments, currently being optimized at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, enables high-quality metallic effects on plastic surfaces with significantly reduced flow-line visibility – without an additional coating step.