The transformation towards a circular plastics economy requires innovative approaches along the entire value chain. Our Platinum Partner Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE develops sustainable solutions for materials, recycling technologies and product designs with partners from business, science and politics. Find out here which specific innovations are created and how you can benefit from the collaboration, explains Dr.-Ing. Hartmut Pflaum, Head of the Fraunhofer CCPE office.
What significance does the circular economy have for corporate strategy?
The name of the Fraunhofer Circular Plastics Economy (CCPE) cluster says it all: we want to shape the transition to a circular plastics industry together with partners from business, politics and society. The focus here is on all R-strategies along the value chain. Whether it’s rethink, redesign or recycle, we research and develop our own solutions, but we are equally happy to do so on behalf of companies. Our research and development process itself follows a cycle: We start by using our own tools to assess the degree of circularity of products, for example. This provides important insights for the next step: the development of circular designs, materials and components, as well as suitable recycling technologies. This is the basis for the development of prototypes and demonstrators before we work with industry to implement them commercially. And after a few years, we re-evaluate our solutions and start the development cycle again.
What circular solutions does the company offer?
When it comes to innovations for the circular economy, it is not only the technological maturity of a specific technology that matters, but also whether we want to innovate at the product, material flow, or system level. This determines whether bilateral partnerships between industry and science are more likely to be successful or multilateral collaborative projects, which are usually publicly funded. Fraunhofer CCPE is involved in both. We offer developments related to polymers and components made from renewable raw materials, additives for stabilising recyclates and reducing odours, technologies for material and chemical recycling, circular logistics and evaluation, and, of course, circular design and prototyping. Six institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have been combining their expertise, facilities and technical infrastructure for six years: Fraunhofer IAP, Fraunhofer ICT, Fraunhofer IML, Fraunhofer IVV, Fraunhofer LBF and Fraunhofer UMSICHT. We offer customised developments for all rungs of the Technology Readiness Level ladder under a single phone number, whether you are a medium-sized company or a global corporation.
What can CVC 2025 participants look forward to when they visit the exhibition stand at CVC 2025?
In a large model landscape, Fraunhofer CCPE shows what circular innovations for the plastics industry can achieve in everyday life: roofing membranes made of bioplastics, circular logistics and combined recycling processes are just a few examples that can be seen in our miniature wonderland. Digital tools provide detailed information. A prime example of the cooperation in Fraunhofer CCPE is the prototype of a completely redesigned child seat: modular, repairable and made with components from bioplastics. Our recycling cascade, where we demonstrate the optimal recycling path for different waste streams, is always a crowd-puller. And if you want to subject your product to an initial circularity check, our CRL® tool is the right choice for you. Feel free to contact our scientists at the booth to find solutions for the circular plastics economy together.
You can experience the circular ‘miniature wonderland’ live at the Fraunhofer CCPE stand in the Expo area of CVC 2025. Exchange ideas with our experts and discover pioneering solutions for a sustainable plastics industry.
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