Welcome to the

Cluster Circular Plastics Economy CCPE

We want to make the plastics value added chain circular, to extract fewer fossil resources, to make products smarter, and to reduce end-of-life losses. The switchover from a linear to a circular plastics economy only succeeds with a multi-stakeholder approach. To this end, we are researching systemic, technical, and social innovations – over the entire life-cycle of plastic products – in three divisions and six research departments.

You also want to shape this change? Or are looking for a partner on your way towards a circular plastics economy? Then you find our approaches and the right contact persons for you right here.

Latest news

Fraunhofer CCPE, SABIC, and Procter & Gamble join forces in closed-loop recycling pilot project for single-use face-masks.

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Newsflashes

Study “Sekundärrohstoffe in Deutschland” by Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg.

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Competencies of the research Cluster »Circular Plastics Economy« CCPE

Materials

We want to use plastics from a sustainable mix of resources to develop functional and long-lasting materials and close material cycles. Formulations for polymers and compounds will themselves be based on circular principles. New additive systems will provide for stable recyclates, multiple recycling loops, and – where necessary – controlled degradation in the environment.

-> Competencies Materials

Systems

Efficient collection and transport technologies go hand in hand with new recycling processes. In this division, digitally mapped processes are created that lead to optimal value added chain. Intelligent collection, sorting and recycling technologies allow polymers and monomers to be recovered and returned to production. Innovative methods for system analysis are intended to help establish efficient logistics and to evaluate the life-cycles of circular products

-> Competencies Systems

Business

Fraunhofer offers new system services for plastics within the circular economy across industry boundaries: from evaluation tools, circular product designs, prototypes, and recycling to acceptance processes and business models. New developments from the divisions “Materials” and “Systems” are demonstrated in prototypes and tested in practice. Marketing strategies suitable for circular products are also developed.

-> Competencies Business