Press kit for the trade fair K

At the world’s largest trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, 14 Fraunhofer units have adopted the “We know plastics” slogan and will be showcasing innovative, sustainable and efficient approaches, solutions and developments for plastics processing. From October 19 to 26, 2022, the topics of circular economy, digital transformation, climate protection and functionalization will take center stage at Booth SC01 in Hall 7.

Stability is one of the core requirements for components manufactured in layer-by-layer 3D printing. One key to greater stability is to improve the adhesion between the individual layers. The researchers at the Fraunhofer IST achieve this through targeted chemical modification of the surface by using atmospheric pressure plasmas. 

Recyclates make products sustainable and competitive. Safety and reliable function must be guaranteed in the process. Researchers from the Fraunhofer LBF will be demonstrating how the quality of products made from recycled plastics can be reliably tested in the early development process, before series production, at the trade fair k.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer WKI have collaborated on the production of injection-molded transport boxes that are more rigid than conventional small load carriers but nevertheless still impact-resistant. For the production, they used discarded transport boxes as well as recycled PET fibers.

Since 2018, Fraunhofer CCPE has been researching how the plastics value chain can become circular. At the K trade fair, Fraunhofer CCPE will present promising developments for a successful transformation from a linear to a circular plastics economy.

Fraunhofer UMSICHT is developing new materials for the resource-efficient use of plastics. The focus is on bioplastics, a circular plastics economy and strategies for reducing macro- and microplastics in the environment. Fraunhofer UMSICHT presents bio-based and circular plastics on the trade fair K 2022.