Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM

Fraunhofer IFAM – Research shaping the future

Fraunhofer IFAM is one of Europe's leading independent research institutions in the fields of adhesive bonding technology, surfaces, shaping, and functional materials. Our mission: We develop innovative solutions for key future topics such as sustainable mobility, the energy transition, the digitalization of production, and resource efficiency – and bring them to industrial application.

With about 700 employees at locations in BremenDresdenStadeWolfsburg BraunschweigHelgoland and Cuxhaven

we offer a wide range of expertise:

  • Material development & functional materials: From metallic, polymer, and hybrid materials to battery materials and smart materials.
  • Shaping & additive manufacturing: Technologies such as powder metallurgy, 3D printing, and sintering processes enable innovative component designs and high-precision applications.
  • Adhesive bonding & surface technology: Solutions for secure, durable joining and the targeted functionalization of surfaces – essential in aviation, automotive engineering, and medical technology.
  • Automation & digitalization: Development of intelligent manufacturing processes, robot-assisted application systems, and automated quality assurance solutions.
  • Qualification & technology transfer: We impart expertise to specialists and decision-makers from industry and research through a wide range of training courses.

Discover our projects, technologies, and expertise – and find out how we can shape the industry of tomorrow together.

Fraunhofer IFAM on LinkedIn

🚀 Ausbildungsstart am Fraunhofer IFAM: Kennenlernen, ausprobieren, Zukunft gestalten

Mit dem neuen Ausbildungsjahr dürfen wir vier neue Auszubildende am Fraunhofer IFAM begrüßen. Im Rahmen einer Welcome-Veranstaltung an unserem Standort in Bremen hatten sie die Gelegenheit, unser Institut, unsere Forschungsbereiche und viele Kolleginnen und Kollegen kennenzulernen.

Bei einem Rundgang durch das Institut konnten unsere neuen Auszubildenden erste Einblicke in verschiedene Arbeits- und Forschungsfelder gewinnen: von der Polymerchemie über die Werkstatt und Lasertechnik bis hin zur Lack- und Gießereitechnik. Dabei wurde schnell deutlich, wie vielfältig die Ausbildungsmöglichkeiten am Fraunhofer IFAM sind.

Wir bedanken uns herzlich bei allen Kolleginnen und Kollegen, die sich Zeit genommen haben, ihre Bereiche vorzustellen und unseren Nachwuchskräften einen spannenden Start zu ermöglichen.

𝗪𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘂𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘂𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗭𝗲𝗶𝘁, 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗸𝘁𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗵𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻. 𝗦𝗰𝗵ö𝗻, 𝗱𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗵𝗿 𝗱𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝗱!

𝗠𝗲𝗵𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝘀 𝘇𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝗰𝗵𝘄𝘂𝗰𝗵𝘀𝗳ö𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗵𝗼𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗙𝗔𝗠: https://s.fhg.de/WVM

Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation

Technologien, die den Unterschied machen: Fraunhofer IFAM zu Gast auf den Drone Days

Die Drone Days haben sich zu einem der wichtigsten Treffpunkte für die unbemannte Luftfahrt entwickelt. Das Zusammenspiel aus Konferenz, Community‑Austausch und realen Flugdemonstrationen schafft einen Rahmen, in dem Innovationen unmittelbar erlebbar werden. Das Fraunhofer IFAM setzt mit angewandter Forschung genau hier an – mit der Entwicklung von Drohnentechnologien, die leistungsfähiger, sicherer und vielseitiger sind.

Am Offshore Drone Campus Cuxhaven entwickeln und testen wir Drohnensysteme unter realen Offshore‑Bedingungen, um Anwendungen wie Inspektion, Wartung und Vermessung von Windenergieanlagen effizienter und nachhaltiger zu gestalten. Die Kombination aus maritimer Testumgebung, modernster Sensorik, robusten Werkstoffen und autonomen Systemlösungen macht den ODCC zu einem einzigartigen Entwicklungsstandort in Europa.

Das erste Panel der Drone Days moderiert unser Experte Kai Brune am 26. August um 10:45 Uhr in der Bremenhalle des Bremen Airport. Hierbei geht es um aktuelle Entwicklungen und Herausforderungen der autonomen Luftfahrt. Im Fokus stehen unter anderem:
➡️ KI-gestützte Navigation
➡️ Schwarmtechnologien
➡️ Digitale Zwillinge
➡️ Moderne Antriebssysteme
➡️ Sensorik und Datenverarbeitung
➡️ Cloud-Integration und digitale Souveränität
➡️ Zertifizierung und Datennutzung

Wir freuen uns auf spannende Diskussionen und den Austausch mit Expertinnen und Experten aus Forschung, Wirtschaft und Praxis.

Aber schon jetzt interessiert uns Ihre Meinung: Wie sieht die Zukunft autonomer Luftfahrtsysteme aus? Welche Rolle spielen KI, digitale Zwillinge und Schwarmtechnologien für sichere und effiziente Drohneneinsätze? Wir sind gespannt auf Ihre Meinungen.

Tim Strohbach | Kai Brune

Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation Hashtag#ODCC

🚚⚡E-Lkw erfolgreich ins Gewerbegebiet bringen: So gelingt der Ladeinfrastruktur-Ausbau in der Praxis

Handlungsempfehlungen aus dem Projekt »Transportation in Charge«

Im Projekt wurden auf Basis realer Daten von über 300 elektrischen Nutzfahrzeugen an 17 Unternehmensstandorten sowie Untersuchungen in Gewerbegebieten und Güterverkehrszentren zentrale Fragestellungen zu Ladeinfrastruktur, Energiebedarf, Netzintegration und betrieblichem Laden untersucht.

Die nun veröffentlichten Handlungsempfehlungen übersetzen die wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse in praxisnahe Orientierungshilfen für Logistikunternehmen, Netz- und Ladeinfrastrukturbetreibende, Kommunen, Immobilienwirtschaft und weitere Akteure. Im Fokus stehen konkrete Ansätze für Planung, Investition, Betrieb und Regulierung der Ladeinfrastruktur für den Straßengüterverkehr.

Ein wichtiger Schritt, um den Hochlauf von E-Lkw effizient, wirtschaftlich und netzdienlich zu gestalten.

Bei Fragen wenden Sie sich gerne an den Gesamtprojektleiter Dipl.-Ing. Sönke Stührmann vom Fraunhofer IFAM.

𝗭𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗳𝗲𝗵𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻: https://s.fhg.de/Gm2B

Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗸𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿:
Fraunhofer IFAM | RWTH Aachen University | IAEW der RWTH Aachen | ISB RWTH | HCIC RWTH | Behrens-Wöhlk GmbH & Co. KG | Rhenus Logistics | PSI Software | Deutsche GVZ-Gesellschaft mbH

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗸𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁:
Caspar Plump (W. Tiemann GmbH & Co. KG) | Felix Janssen (TotalEnergies) | Denise Schuster (Park Your Truck GmbH) | Steven Hotopp (wesernetz Bremen GmbH) | Sven Jäger (WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH)

𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴:
Leandra S. und Karl Glökler (beide Fraunhofer IFAM)

🚀 Taking off for the future of offshore logistics!

As part of our 𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗟 (Develop Innovative Offshore Logistics) project, we are investigating the use of UAS for offshore supply through concrete pilot flights: We are planning the direct drone delivery to a Service Operation Vessel (SOV) from Norddeich. Involving all stakeholders. Conducting a concrete demo flight. Gathering experience for regular commercial operations.
 
Last week, we held our first detailed coordination meeting aboard the Bibby Wavemaster Horizon in operation for EnBW wind farms. The experts from Fraunhofer IFAM are very pleased to be part of these initiatives to make offshore drone deliveries a reality with the DIOL project! DSV – Global Transport and Logistics will conduct the test flights as the operator.
 
A huge thank you to EnBW and the operating shipping company Bibby Marine for their fantastic and collaborative support! Together, we are bringing innovation to the high seas. 🚁🌊
 
If you have any questions regarding the DIOL project, please feel free to contact Tim Strohbach from Fraunhofer IFAM.

Interreg North Sea Programme
#DiolNorthSea #ODCC #Drones #IFAMdrivesInnovation #OffshoreWind #DroneLogistics #DIOL #Innovation

Fraunhofer IFAM

Take a Virtual Tour of our Laboratories for Adhesive Bonding Processes, Plasma and Laser Technology and our Coating Technology Centre

Magazine

 

Expansion of offshore wind energy in Europe

The Interreg North Sea project DIOL (Develop Innovative Offshore Logistic) deals with the implementation of the Esbjerg Declaration, which was signed by the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands at the North Sea Summit in Esbjerg on 18.05.2022. Its aim is to turn the North Sea into Europe's "green power plant".

 

Extension of the durability of rotor blades

Offshore wind turbines are exposed to extreme weather conditions. These lead to damage, e.g. erosion of the coatings on the leading edges of the rotor blades. The MARiLEP joint project aims to achieve a significant improvement in the service life of the leading edge coatings of wind turbines.

 

Hybrid casting for joining CFRP and aluminum

In the "HyFKAl" project, experts from Fraunhofer IFAM and the Faserinstitut Bremen e.V. are developing an economical hybrid casting process for joining CFRP and aluminum. This involves joining thermoplastic and thermoset CFRP structures with the aluminum partner using the primary forming aluminum die casting process.

 

Printed batteries

Manufacturing technology for batteries of the future: Fraunhofer IFAM offers alternatives for battery production using the screen printing process. New manufacturing concepts enable higher active material loads and greater freedom in electrode design. On the one hand, completely printed batteries help to overcome the limitations of current production technology and, on the other hand, reduce the use of solvents and subsequent drying processes.

Press Releases

28.5.2026

Plasmatreat and Fraunhofer IFAM Collaborate on Rapid Industrial Implementation of PFAS-Free Coating Technologies

Plasmatreat GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM are expanding their collaboration specifically in the field of environmentally friendly coating technologies. The focus is on technology transfer and the rapid industrial implementation of the PFAS-free low-pressure plasma coating systems PLASLON® and UltraPLAS®, which were developed by Fraunhofer IFAM. Plasmatreat contributes its system and application expertise, acts as a contract coater and equipment manufacturer, and thus enables the application of these technologies in various industrial fields.
more info

31.3.2026

Major BMFTR Project for the Production of Sodium-Ion Battery Cells in Germany started

With the funding project SIB:DE ENTWICKLUNG, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has launched the largest German consortium to date dedicated to sodium-ion battery technology. Twenty-five partners from academia and industry are collaborating to develop a sustainable, safe, and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The focus is on the production of large-format, market-ready cells and the assessment of their recyclability. The goal is the rapid transfer of research results into industrial applications.
more info

3.11.2025

Innovative Surfaces to Rapidly Load Bone Implants with Antibiotics

Infectious complications are not uncommon after implant placement. The risk is higher in heavily contaminated wounds, which are particularly common in war zones such as Ukraine, where many bone injuries require treatment. Research-ers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM in Bremen have developed a new functionalized surface that can be loaded with antibiotics.
more info

Events

24.2.2027

Symposium on Innovations in Drones and Autonomous Systems for Wind Park Operations

This symposium will convene scientists, researchers, and industry experts to explore the latest advancements in technologies for wind turbine inspection and maintenance across various environments. The program will focus on innovative inspection methods, challenges in maintenance within offshore and onshore environments, successful repair strategies, and the integration of robotics and automation. Additional topics will include the training and qualification of service personnel, as well as sustainability and environmental protection during inspection and repair activities.
more info

8.10.2026

Workshop Electrolysis 2026

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to the 9th Industry Workshop on Advanced Alkaline-based Electrolysis in Dresden.
more info

29.9.2026

Composite Repair Seminar and Experts Forum

The Seminar will be presenting the recent innovations and research results, as derived from the academic community, while providing practical application examples and demonstration with possibilities of hands-on experience to its participants in a 2-days course. It mainly targets composite repair engineers and technicians (working either in engineering, technical or training departments) of airlines and MROs, as well as PhD candidates and postgraduate students, with R&D interests in bonded composite repairs and potential employment outlook in the aeronautical industry.
more info

26.8.2026

Drone Days 2026

Drone Days is a platform for anyone who wants to play an active role in shaping the future of aviation. The event brings together stakeholders from a wide range of fields, from start-ups to established industrial companies and from research institutions to government agencies.
more info