Fraunhofer IWKS

The research work of Fraunhofer IWKS focuses on the areas of resource cycles and efficient and sustainable resource strategies. The aim is to establish a closed cycle economy and to avoid waste by recovering and recycling valuable raw materials or replacing them with sustainable alternatives. To this end, innovative processes are being developed in the areas of functional materials (magnetic materials, energy materials, analytics) and secondary materials (urban mining, biogenic systems, material flow management). For resource-efficient handling of raw materials and materials.

The implementation of developments in industry is an important goal of the research work. Fraunhofer IWKS, with its parent institute Fraunhofer ISC in Würzburg, conducts research and works at two locations. With a research team of more than 90 employees from the fields of environmental management, process engineering, materials science, industrial engineering, (micro)biology, ecotrophology, chemistry and physics, the Fraunhofer IWKS focuses on an interdisciplinary research approach.

Located in two locations and in two federal states. The Bavarian Alzenau and the Hessian Hanau. The aim is to establish a fully-fledged Fraunhofer Institute. Since the region has universities and colleges with a focus on natural sciences, materials sciences and engineering, the research institution has developed a centre for a competence network for resource strategy, material cycles and substitution, which is also intended to strengthen the research landscape.

Expert Network Resources

The close link between the different sites with the management team, consisting of Prof. Dr. Oliver Gutfleisch (full Professor for Functional Materials, Technical University of Darmstadt), Prof. Dr. Liselotte Schebek (full Professor and Chair of Material Flow Management and Resource Economy, Technical University of Darmstadt), Prof. Dr. Anke Weidenkaff (full Professor, Division of Materials Technology and Resource Management, Executive Director of Fraunhofer IWKS), enables research approaches along the entire value chain. Project partners are thus optimally supported in their individual tasks.

In addition, Fraunhofer IWKS has access to a Fraunhofer-wide network of experts and universities. This competence network enables Fraunhofer IWKS to provide outstanding consulting services.