CCPE Profile

At present, more resources are being consumed worldwide than the existing ecosystems can supply. In order to contribute to sustainable development, both the management of goods and the lifestyles of society need to be fundamentally changed. The Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE takes a holistic approach by rethinking products: starting with the right choice of components and materials, through the handling and use of the product, to recycling and the necessary business model innovations.  

The transformation from a linear to a circular plastics economy can only succeed with a multi-stakeholder approach. For this reason, Fraunhofer CCPE bundles competencies and infrastructures from six institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and cooperates closely with partners from industry. Together, we work on systemic, technical and social innovations, focusing on the entire life cycle of plastic products.

The research cluster is committed to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 12 "Sustainable Consumption and Production".

For our customers and partners from industry and the public sector, we develop, implement and optimize processes, products and plants until they are ready for use and the market. With our internationally networked cutting-edge research, we contribute to the success of industry and the well-being of society.

How can we support you? Get an insight into how you can work with us here.

On behalf of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, six Fraunhofer Institutes are investigating, using plastics as an example, how the sustainable transformation of an entire value chain can take place under principles of the circular economy. The economic and social effects of a circular plastics economy in the coming decades are also analyzed and considered. Participants are:

• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP
  
• Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT
  
• Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logitics IML
  
• Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability
  
• Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety-, and Energy Technology UMSICHT
  
• Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV

The research and development work is carried out in three divisions, which are oriented to the life cycle of plastic products. Two research departments are assigned to each of these divisions.

Division Materials
• Circular Polymers
• Circular Additives and Compounds  

Division Systems
• Advanced Recycling
• Circular Logistics and Sustainability

Division Business
• Application and Demonstration
• Business and Transformation

Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence promote the cooperative development and processing of system-relevant topics through an inter-institute research structure. In organizational terms, these research clusters correspond to a »virtual institute« spread over multiple locations. The aim of the research clusters is not just to temporarily implement single projects but rather to follow a roadmap for the long-term development of a complex technological trend. Overview of Fraunhofer Clusters in Germany

The Fraunhofer Cluster Circular Plastics Economy CCPE is part of the Fraunhofer brand Circonomy^®. Research and development, carrying this brand, have the goal of bringing products, processes and services to market – according to defined circular principles.

Click here for the latest circular solutions from Fraunhofer: Circonomy®!