Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS
The Fraunhofer IMWS deals with polymer applications and chemical conversion processes in various business areas. In addition to broad-based materials research activities at the Halle (Saale) site, topics in the field of polymer processing at the Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing in Schkopau and on carbon cycle technologies in Freiberg and Leuna play a central role. Closing material cycles and ways to energy- and resource-efficient production have increasingly become the focus of attention in recent years. A traditional focus of research at the Freiberg site is pyrolysis and gasification. Numerous pyrolysis plants are operated, with various types of reactors available that can be fully balanced and are used in both batch and continuous processes. Currently, a pyrolysis platform is being built that will allow pilot-scale experiments close to industry. The "GreenCarbonChem" module platform in Leuna is used for large-scale demonstration of gasification technology for low-emission carbon cycle closure and is integrated into the Leuna refinery site in terms of energy and materials. A focus of material recycling activities at the pilot plant center in Schkopau are research projects on targeted polymer degradation using thermal-mechanical processes in the extruder. Furthermore, the Fraunhofer IMWS is working on long-term stable marker systems with high information density, which can be used advantageously for marking polymer recyclates and for efficient detection of polymer recyclate admixtures.