Fraunhofer 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

Fraunhofer CCPE Compact: Solutions for PPWR-compliant packaging − Event highlights the need for action and concrete approaches along the value chain

Our Speaker at the Fraunhofer CCPE compact: Ready for PPWR? — © Fraunhofer CCPE
Our Speaker of the Fraunhofer CCPE compact

On April 12, 2026, during the “Fraunhofer CCPE Compact” event, key requirements of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) were presented, along with potential solutions for companies.

PPWR introduces new requirements, including those for the use of recycled materials, recyclability, packaging minimization, and pollutant limits. The first requirements will take effect as early as August 2026, creating a need for early action.

One focus was on the holistic assessment of packaging. Sustainable packaging solutions must meet not only material requirements but also functional requirements, such as product protection, shelf life, and transport stability.

To evaluate these interrelationships, Fraunhofer CCPE combines various methods, including shelf-life analyses, transport tests, and life-cycle analyses.

Furthermore, it was demonstrated that there remains potential for optimization in the field of packaging logistics. Reducing empty space in shipping packaging can contribute to lowering material consumption and emissions.

The event highlighted that the implementation of the PPWR requires an early analysis of existing packaging systems as well as a data-driven basis for decision-making.

Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE

Position paper "AI in the plastic value chain by 2030"

Welcome to the

Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE

Current highlight

Fraunhofer CCPE Compact: Solutions for PPWR-compliant packaging − Event highlights the need for action and concrete approaches along the value chain

Events and Trade fairs

Circular Newsflash

New solutions for the market

Current press releases and events

Biobased polymers between innovation and application

Geotextiles made from recycled materials: GREEN leads the way into the industry

CircularInFoam: High-performance halogen-free insulation materials for industrial applications

Blends of bio-based polyesters as a building block for replacing conventional polyolefins

Circular value creation: As a single solution or system service

Collaboration

Newsletter

CCPE Team

Network, cooperation and transformation