Press releases

New EU regulations, increasing demands for recyclability, and the call for circular products are putting pressure on companies to take action. But how can this transition actually be achieved? Sabrina Schreiner and Anna Krüger from the Research Department for Application and Demonstration at the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE explain why circular design is a key competitive factor and why monomaterials alone are not yet a solution.

Bio-based polymers provide new possibilities for a circular plastics economy. Together with experts from industry and research, the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE will discuss the potential these polymers offer, the challenges that still need to be addressed, and will demonstrate their successful conversion into industrial applications in an interactive workshop on September 15, 2026, at the DECHEMA FORUM in Frankfurt.

For the industry, recycled materials are creating new opportunities in geotextile production. In the GREEN project, the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excel-lence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE demonstrates that recycled polypro-pylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and high-density polyeth-ylene (HDPE) can be processed into nonwovens, fibers, and membranes that meet industrial requirements. This creates opportunities for use in existing production lines and new value chains in the geotextile market.

Through the CircularInFoam project, the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE is developing sustainable, high-performance insulation materials based on polylactide. Halogen-free flame retardant systems, modular masterbatch solutions, and industrial scalability are opening up new possibilities for safe, low-emission, and economically competitive insulation materials.

New findings from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE show how commercial PBSA/PLA blends can be specifically tailored through industrial processing methods to make them suitable for flexible film applications. This opens up concrete bio-based alternatives to petro-chemical plastics.

High-quality athletic shoes are usually made from a complex combination of materials. This has consequences for both production and recycling. In the ZiProMat project, Fraunhofer researchers have found another way. A sole made of programmable monomaterial performs various functions and is also made of the same material as the upper. The concept combines hightech, sustainability and recyclability.

A new extruded foam made from polybutylene succinate (PBS), developed by the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE, offers industrial companies a direct path to sustainable material solutions – without the need to invest in new equipment. This approach simultaneously addresses CO₂ reduction, compliance with regulatory requirements, and economic efficiency.

The Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE has published a new position paper and a comprehensive background report on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the plastics value chain by 2030. The analysis shows that AI is already powerful today and is seen as a key lever for increasing efficiency, quality, and recyclability – but it can only unleash its potential based on interoperable data spaces, clear standards, and viable business models.

The new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) is increasing the need for action among companies along the entire value chain. In the online seminar “Ready for PPWR? Packaging design for the whole value chain” on April 15, 2026, Fraunhofer CCPE, together with partners from research and industry, will present concrete solutions – from regulatory requirements and sustainable optimization to the use of recycled materials in food packaging.

Fraunhofer CCPE will be presenting innovative solutions for transforming the plastics industry at the Circular Valley Convention 2026 from March 11 to 12, 2026. The focus will be on our monomaterial approach, advanced recycling technologies, and the use of artificial intelligence. These approaches make a decisive contribution to circularity and efficiency in the industry.