Contact Press / Media
Dr. Antje Lieske
Head of department | Polymer Synthesis
Fraunhofer IAP
Geiselbergstraße 69
14476 Potsdam
Phone +49 331 568-1329
PLA is a bio-based aliphatic polyester with an unusually high modulus and tensile strength for this class of polymer, as well as barrier properties that are particularly suitable for packaging fresh produce.
Conventional polyurethanes are made using toxic isocyanates and often exhibit variations in material properties. Both of these factors cause problems, especially in sensitive areas of application such as medical technology.
Your contact: Dr. Christoph Herfurth
Politicians as well as European plastics manufacturers are committed to strategies in the sense of a circular economy, such as intelligent product design, repair management and high collection rates. One building block of this strategy must therefore be new bio-based material flows.
Your contact: Dr. Daniel Zehm
Lightweight, carbon fiber-reinforced materials are steadily gaining in importance for applications in the automotive industry, wind turbines or aviation. Carbon fibers uniquely combine low weight with outstanding material properties. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is the most important precursor material for C-fibers. However, the manufacturing process has disadvantages:
For conventional hot water or weather-resistant wood glues, such as those used for window scantlings or wood flooring, the processing which is required for the desired glue strength is challenging.
Polyacrylate and polystyrene systems can be designed for applications ranging from adhesives and coatings to ion exchangers and column materials to Point-of-Care (PoC) diagnostics and controlled drug release. We develop sustainable processes and customised materials and support with our expertise and equipment in process optimisation, upscaling and troubleshooting.
As flocculants, cationic polyelectrolytes determine the technology and economy of process stages in wastewater treatment and paper production. Commercial acrylate-based flocculation aids become ineffective at elevated temperatures, non-neutral pH or high salt loads. They also have to be dissolved in a complex way or contain oils or salts as a carrier phase.
In 2018, 359 million tonnes of plastics were produced worldwide. Europe accounted for approximately 61.8 million tonnes of this. Approximately 51.2 million tonnes are processed in Europe. Almost half of the total consumption is accounted for by the polyolefins PE and PP. [Source: PlasticsEurope]. Polyolefins are not biodegradable. They accumulate as waste in the environment worldwide.
Thermoresponsive microgel particles react to external stimulation by temperature. If a critical temperature is reached, these particles swell or shrink reversibly (programmable). The synthesis of such particles has so far essentially been described by means of precipitation polymerisation. But this polymerisation process is not efficiently scalable.
Polyamides are engineering plastics with a wide range of applications. Their thermal and mechanical properties can be tailored to individual applications through copolymerisation.
Graph: Influence of melting point and degree of crystallization on the composition of a partially biobased copolyamide.