Press releases

With the project "Material and long-term properties in recycled materials", Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF aims to lay the foundations for increasing the proportion of post-consumer recyclates (PCR) for high-quality industrial applications of engineering plastics. The researchers are looking for additional partners to jointly develop fundamental insights into the effect of material composition. Focus is on the feedstocks and the variables influencing compounding (e. g. proportion and condition of virgin material, re-additivation) on the resulting application properties. This is supported by a toolbox with customized analysis methods that visualize fundamental dependencies between molecular parameters and properties. In this way, the project participants obtain the necessary know-how for optimal control of their material flows

The Fraunhofer-Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF and the Fraunhofer-Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST jointly coordinates a Support and Coordinated Action aiming at defining and harmonising a commonly accepted and applied single Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach for zero-emission vehicles ZEV. Both institutes brought together 44 key stakeholders along the full value chain of zero-emission vehicles covering, among others, vehicle and battery manufactures, the supply industry, energy providers and recyclers. This unique initiative is supported by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and had its kick-off meeting on February 1 in Brussels.

By using cast components, decisive competitive advantages can be achieved along the value chain. The high-quality standard of cast products and the high degree of flexibility offered by. the usable materials and technologies in the foundry industry are unique. On the other hand, there are challenges due to the energy crisis and material bottlenecks, which limit competitive advantages and increase the need for efficiency improvements. In addition to digitalization, efficiency improvements can be driven forward in particular by increased networking of those involved in the development process from industry and research. The international congress "InCeight Casting C8", from March 6 to 8, 2023 in Darmstadt, offers for the second time this interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge and interests with the aim of learning from each other and thus remaining fit for the future with specialist lectures, workshops and panel discussions.

How can high-quality recyclates be produced from printed packaging? Can analytical fingerprints advance a circular plastics economy? These are just some of the questions that will be addressed at the fifth “Forum Plastic Recyclates” event to be held on March 29 and 30, 2023. Addressing topics such as the “recycling market and recycling standards”, “improved quality thanks to additives” and “applications for recycled plastics”, this year’s forum will focus once again on the field of mechanical recycling. The program and online registration form are now available.

A strong European Materials ecosystem driving the green and digital transition as well as a sustainable inclusive European society through a systemic collaboration of upstream developers, downstream users and citizens and all stakeholders in between.

Recyclates make products sustainable and competitive. Safety and reliable function must be guaranteed in the process. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability will be demonstrating how the quality of products made from recycled plastics can be reliably tested in the early development process, before series production, at the Fraunhofer booth, Hall 7, SC01, at the "K-Messe" in Düsseldorf from October 19 to 26.

To respond individual customer requirements and to meet social and political responsibility, a research project was carried out in cooperation between Ansmann AG and Fraunhofer Institute für Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF. Aim was the development of natural fibre-reinforced plastics for usage in Li-ion battery housings. Fraunhofer Researchers will present more details at the Fraunhofer booth, Hall 7, SC01, at the "K-Messe" in Düsseldorf from October 19 to 26.

Design of plastic components is primarily based on the methods developed for ductile metals. Applied to plastics these methods provide errors in components subjected to multi-axial tensile loads. The adjusted methods require the test results under 2D and 3D tensile loads, which cannot be gained from the uniaxial tensile tests. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF have improved known test specifications for the biaxial tensile test under the effect of temperature. The implemented optical measurement during the loading allows the precise acquisition of the mechanical response of the plastic sheets. The data from the new test method improves the material modelling thus providing the basis for an enhancement of the design quality of plastic components.

The International Congress of the Foundry Industry for intelligent Combining of Design, Casting, Computer Simulation, Checking and Cyclic Behavior for efficient Cast Components „InCeight Casting C8“ offers the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge of all the disciplines involved in the product life cycle of cast components. The aim is to develop a common understanding of the various requirements for high-performance and efficient cast products. From 6 to 8 March 2023 the second congress „InCeight Casting C8” will take place in Darmstadt. The Call for Papers is open until May 15, 2022.

What sustainable plastics solutions are available for automotive electronics? How exactly does optimized, high-quality polyolefin recycling work? These are just some of the questions that will be addressed at the fourth “Forum Plastic Recyclates” event to be held on March 24, 2022. Addressing topics such as the recycling market and recycling standards, using additives to improve quality and applications for recycled plastics, this year’s forum will focus once again on the field of mechanical recycling. The program and online registration form for the virtual conference are now available here. The conference fee is 250.00 euros.