Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE

Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE

Welcome to the  

Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE

 

The plastics of tomorrow – they will be different. Are your products and services ready for the circular economy? In the Fraunhofer CCPE cluster, we research these questions for you and help you to make your products circular and to turn plastic waste into valuable resources. With us, you benefit from holistic expertise along the plastics value chain and the best solution for your target market. At CCPE you will find innovative approaches and the right contact persons for your research project.

What can we support you with? 

 

Current highlight

A view behind the scenes – The Fraunhofer CCPE Toolbox

Fraunhofer CCPE Toolbox
© Fraunhofer CCPE

Take a look behind the scenes at the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE. Discover stories on the topics of “plastic recyclates,” “bioplastics,” “recycling technologies,” “product development,” and “strategy consulting.” You can also learn more about our demonstrators, the “circular child seat” and the “reusable transport box,” as well as our “CRL Check” here.

To the Toolbox

New solutions for the market

Economically relevant technologies and services about the circular plastics eonomy

Circular Polymers
Circular Additives and Compounds
Advanced Recycling
Circular Logistics and Sustainability
Application and Demonstration
Business and Transformation

Current press releases and events

 

Press Release / 20.11.2025

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Mono-material Design Set”

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why we have developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

Press release
 

20.10.2025

Mapping Chemical Recycling

Interactive map by Fraunhofer shows 2.8 Mt/a planned capacity but only 0.29 Mt/a operational. Pyrolysis dominates the project pipeline (1.68 Mt/a planned), while larger gasification plants remain unbuilt. Three solvent-based/solvolysis plants deliver 27 kt/a in operation.

Press release
 

© Fraunhofer CCPE

3.9.2025

Sustainable Research Highlights for the Plastics Industry

Eleven Fraunhofer institutes will be showcasing their innovations at K, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber, to be held in Düsseldorf from October 8 through 15. These advances include everything from circular design and monomaterials to bio-based films. Different material flows will be illustrated in tangible ways in an interactive miniature wonderland of the circular economy.

Press release
 

2.9.2025

Innovative sorting technologies in recycling

The recycling industry faces major challenges, especially when it comes to sorting plastics. We invite anyone interested in this topic to an online seminar on October 2, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event will focus on innovative sorting technologies, which are considered key to improving the recycling of plastics.

Press release

Circular value creation: As a single solution or system service

Collaboration

Find out how you can design your products and services with us in a circular way. Discover what a possible collaboration could look like.

For clients

Newsletter

Would you like to stay up to date on developments, projects and events at Fraunhofer CCPE? Then subscribe to the newsletter here.

Fraunhofer CCPE Newsletter

CCPE Team

Get to know the Fraunhofer CCPE team. Find out what excites the scientists about the development of a circular plastics world.

CCPE Team

Network, cooperation and transformation

Find out which networks the Fraunhofer CCPE works and cooperates with.

Network, cooperation and transformation