©Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS

©Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS

Two-Day Technical Program With Lectures and Excursion at the Fraunhofer IMWS

The focus was on technical lectures on current developments in bio-based polymers, natural fibers, innovative testing methods, recycling management, polymer chemistry, and digital and additive manufacturing technologies. The presentations clearly showed how interdisciplinary and practical research on sustainable polymer materials has become.

The event began with a welcome address and an introduction to the work of the host institute and the Polymer Materials Expert Committee. Subsequent presentations covered topics such as natural fiber reinforced bio-polyamides, hybrid foam injection molding in automotive applications, new recycling strategies, and material optimization using AI-based modeling. The addition of additives to recyclates and new approaches to plasma coating were also discussed.

The combination of sustainability and industrial feasibility received particular attention, with presentations on the SuLiCo project, which is developing a software-based tool to improve the carbon footprint and recyclability of plastic components. Other presentations highlighted the processing of fiber-reinforced lightweight structures in granular 3D printing or the use of reversible polymer networks (vitrimers) in composite design.

On the first day of the event, the participants also had the opportunity to get to know the Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing PAZ in Schkopau during an excursion. A tour of the IMWS completed the program.

Following the lecture program, the regular meeting of the "Polymer Materials" expert committee took place. Guests were also invited to attend and learn about the current work and future priorities of the committee.

Information on all expert committees can be found on the DGM website at https://dgm.de/en/network.
If you are interested in participating in one of the committees, please send a short email to fachgremiendgm.de.