Press releases

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.

Starting in January 2026, three Fraunhofer Clusters of Excellence will launch a joint project to support companies in implementing the EU requirements for digital product passports (DPPs), which will become mandatory in 2027. The project will focus on both technical and organizational areas of action for DPP data management. On this basis, additional data points will be added to the core requirements of the DPP in order to develop new service offerings, particularly in production engineering. The Fraunhofer Clusters of Excellence Cognitive Internet Technologies CCIT, Programmable Materials CPM, and Circular Plastics Economy CCPE are involved in the project.

Is it possible to recover plastic recyclates from previously unused waste streams in order to produce high-quality fibers and films? How can bio-based polymer fibers be manufactured so as to allow adjustable biodegradability? These are the questions being addressed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE in the Zirk-Tex project. As an alternative to mechanical processes, they are jointly developing innovative recycling methods for the production of sustainable roof underlayments and geosynthetics. This involves the analysis of the entire value chain at pilot scale.

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 Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

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.

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 and polyamides made from various production residues. Different material flows will be illustrated in tangible ways in an interactive miniature wonderland of the circular economy.

The recycling industry faces major challenges, especially when it comes to sorting plastics. The Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE invites 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.