Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPECCPE Institutes in Focus: Meet Fraunhofer IVV
What does it take to make plastic packaging truly circular? It requires more than recycling – it means combining innovative recycling technologies, material quality and application expertise across the value chain. Meet Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, bringing its expertise in packaging, recycling and process engineering to the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE.
Institute and Expertise
Fraunhofer IVV contributes expertise in mechanical and solvent-based recycling, packaging development, recyclate quality and odor analysis. Its strength lies in developing recycling processes for complex plastic waste streams and enabling high-quality recyclates for demanding applications – including new packaging.
Research Departments
Fraunhofer IVV contributes across two CCPE Research Departments:
Advanced Recycling
The department develops innovative recycling technologies for recovering valuable materials from challenging waste streams. IVV contributes particularly through mechanical and solvent-based recycling, including the CreaSolv® process, to produce high-quality recyclates from complex packaging materials.
Circular Additives and Compounds
The department develops materials and additive solutions that improve the quality and usability of recycled plastics. IVV contributes expertise in odor analysis, odor reduction and process engineering, helping overcome quality barriers and enable recyclates for higher-value applications.
Project Spotlights
CIRCULAR FoodPack – Closing the Loop for Food Packaging
How can flexible food packaging become circular while meeting strict food-safety requirements?
In CIRCULAR FoodPack, Fraunhofer IVV contributed to solutions across the recycling value chain – from recovering high-quality post-consumer recyclates to their use in new food packaging. The project demonstrates how recycled plastics can be brought back into demanding packaging applications.
Zirk-Tex – Recycling for New Applications
Can previously unused waste streams become high-quality materials for new products? In Zirk-Tex, Fraunhofer IVV contributes solvent-based recycling to recover high-quality PP from packaging waste. The process separates unwanted polymers and additives, producing a highly purified recyclate that can be processed into fibers and films.
Together, these examples highlight Fraunhofer IVV's contribution to the CCPE – from advanced recycling and recyclate quality to circular packaging and new applications for recycled materials.