Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT
From the systemic view via the circular plastics economy to technical solutions
Around 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide every year. Due to its variety of forms and properties, its countless uses and its persistence, plastic is the defining material of the 21st century. Plastics perform important functions in our everyday lives. However, precisely because of their quantity and persistence, plastics are a major and long-term problem for our ecosystems and for our health.
Even though the extent of the consequences is not yet fully known, it is time to act. Plastics enter the environment every day as waste or microplastics. Plastics are emitted from various sources into water, soil and the atmosphere and accumulate there. The causes of this can be production losses, wear and tear and weathering, weather events, littering (careless disposal in the environment) or ignorance.
It can be assumed that the quantities of macro- and microplastics emitted into the environment and accumulating there will continue to increase in the future due to population and economic growth. We must take action, not least because environmental pollution with plastics is now considered a problem for society as a whole. Existing knowledge gaps must be closed, plastic emissions and plastic waste reduced, and circular and bio-based solutions pursued.
Microplastics in air, soil and water
Whether it's a carelessly discarded plastic bag in the forest or tire abrasion on the road, Fraunhofer UMSICHT has been dealing with the environmentally relevant effects of microplastics and plastics in all their diversity since 2014.
Through the interdisciplinary collaboration of several departments at Fraunhofer UMSICHT, we are able to examine the topic of “plastics in the environment” from different perspectives: On the one hand, we can carry out sustainability assessments and systemic analyses, and on the other hand, we can offer technical solutions through optimized process and filter techniques or customized bioplastics.
Above all, the circular economy aspect in connection with plastics is a focus of our work. Making the transition from linear to circular processes is a fundamental task for saving energy and resources.
Our technical equipment allows us to conduct a variety of laboratory tests and analyses: from product development to the behavior of the product or its components in the environment. This allows us to provide you with scientific and strategic advice on plastic products and their behavior in the environment, as well as to develop technical solutions for and with you on a scientifically neutral basis.
How to work with us
If you are interested in bilateral contract research, publicly funded joint research projects and consortium studies, strategic advice, product development or process optimization, please feel free to contact us.