Press Releases

Freising, Germany – Following five years of intense research, the Circular Flooring consortium has proven that it is possible to produce plasticiser-free PVC recyclates from end-of-life flexible floor coverings. The solvent-based recycling process, which is operated with CreaSolv® formulations1 jointly developed by Fraunhofer IVV and CreaCycle, can efficiently remove critical legacy plasticisers from waste PVC flooring. The recovered PVC complies with EU REACH legislation and can therefore be used to produce new PVC flooring. The project thus supports the EU objective of establishing a European circular economy. In addition, the consortium has demonstrated the technical feasibility of the process on a pilot scale, paving the way for scaling up to commercial dimensions. The Fraunhofer Institute for Processing Engineering and Packaging IVV in Freising, Germany, carried out the project together with ten companies and research facilities from five European countries. The European Union provided Circular Flooring with funding of around €5.4 million from its Horizon 2020 programme.

From June 10-14, 2024, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will be exhibiting at ACHEMA in Frankfurt am Main at the booth of the Fraunhofer Chemistry Alliance in Hall 6.0, Booth D49. In line with this year's trade fair motto "INSPIRING SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS", the Fraunhofer IVV will be presenting high-performance, plant-based alternatives to mineral oil-based lubricants and lubricant additives as well as an innovative GC sensor system for the efficient quality assurance of processes and materials.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will present new processes for the development and production of high-quality natural cosmetic products at CosmeticBusiness at the MOC Event Center in Munich on June 5–6, 2024. In line with the slogan “Working together towards effective, sustainable cosmetics using scientivically optimized products and processes”, visitors to Booth C19 in Hall 2 can look forward to a wide range of services in the personal care sector.

Increasing sustainability in the paper recycling cycle and counteracting the shortage of skilled workers: In the BMWK joint project "KIBAPap", the Fraunhofer IVV and its project partners are developing a self-learning assistance system for machine operators that makes a significant contribution to reducing resource requirements in the highly complex process of paper production from waste paper. In addition, it enables the sustainable safeguarding of experience in the company and thus offers an answer to the challenges of the shortage of skilled workers. On February 19, 2024, the "KIBAPap" research project was presented with the European Paper Recycling Award 2023 for innovative technologies and R&D in Brussels.

To advance the sustainable production of vegetable oil, proteins, and fiber, the Fraunhofer IVV branch lab in Campinas, Brazil, is working to use the full fruits of the macauba palm tree. A new extraction method has been developed, making it possible to use not only the oil from the macauba fruits, but also the other secondary products of processing. Fraunhofer IVV developed this method up to the pilot scale and applied for a patent for it. The transition to commercial application came in the summer of 2023, with a spin-off from Fraunhofer IVV.

From May 14-17, 2024, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will be exhibiting cyber-physical cleaning technology for quality-assured, efficient and resilient production processes at Interclean in Amsterdam, Hall 5, Booth 530. Visitors will also have the opportunity to find out how the cleaning robot with sensor-guided adaptive jet cleaner developed by Fraunhofer IVV works.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will be presenting new technologies and solutions at interpack from May 4 to 10, 2023 in Hall 4, Booth C45, that enable companies in the packaging and food industries to realize digital value creation and enter the circular economy. The VR-based training courses developed by the Fraunhofer IVV for the efficient training and further education of operating and technical personnel enable rapid and sustainable qualification of operators during ongoing operations - without stopping production or consuming resources. To counteract the quality risks associated with manual cleaning processes and the increasing challenge posed by the shortage of skilled workers, the Fraunhofer IVV has developed digital solutions in the form of "CleanAssist" and the "Mobile Cleaning Device", which, through the use of augmented reality (AR), digital twin and intelligent sensor technology, finally allow real cleaning validation and reliable quality assurance of cleaning. The Fraunhofer IVV is meeting the growing demands on the packaging industry for recyclable packaging systems with the targeted development of fiber-based packaging solutions and technologies to ensure the processing of paper and alternative materials in high-speed machines. Exhibits will demonstrate the achievable variety of shapes of thermoformed fiber-based packaging, the combination of molded parts with functional and partly organic barriers, and the synergy of embossing with 3D molded parts to design consumer packaging.

From September 26 to 28, 2023, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will be attending the trade fair in hall 10, booth D28, and showcasing two pioneering technology solutions, which address the cross-industry challenges posed by stricter energy efficiency and climate protection targets, increasing cleanliness requirements and the shortage of skilled workers.

At Food Ingredients Europe in Frankfurt, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME will be explaining how food ingredients can be made from plant-based and alternative protein sources. Between November 28 and 30, 2023, the institutes will be presenting current research topics in the fields of ingredient extraction and food development at Booth 4.1L143 in Hall 4, under the slogan “Customized plant ingredients for your food”.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV will showcase the newest version of an intelligent, autonomous tank cleaning system for time- and resource-optimized cleaning processes with the AJCsens at the drinktec trade fair in Munich (Hall B3, Booth 336) between September 12 and 16, 2022. The innovative, miniaturized and — for the first time — highly integrated sensor technology as well as the implementation of self-optimizing process management enable the whole tank to be cleaned in line with actual needs.