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 over 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

🔋 Battery empty?

The battery industry is facing challenges. On one hand, large production projects in Europe are being put on hold. On the other hand, the energy transition, AI data centers, and electric mobility are demanding new solutions from battery technologies.

We’ve structured it a bit and written down our 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟱 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲:

1️⃣ 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: setting new standards for performance and safety
2️⃣ 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: the backbone of the energy transition
3️⃣ 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: circular economy as a core strategy
4️⃣ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: from research topic to early market readiness
5️⃣ 𝗦𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺-𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: a strategic alternative to lithium

If you’d like to read 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 about the battery industry, take a look:
👉 European Battery Business Club (EBBC) News: https://s.fhg.de/8TkC

If you’d like to start 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 on 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆:
👉 European Battery Business Club (EBBC) Battery Training: https://s.fhg.de/sq5f

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 (𝗘𝗕𝗕𝗖):
The EBBC is an English-language online course initiated by Fraunhofer IFAM, providing in-depth knowledge across the entire battery value chain and connecting research expertise with industrial practice.

Hashtag#EBBC Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation

Workshop on ”Harmonizing Drone Operational Procedures for BVLOS Missions over the North Sea“

Last week, Tim Strohbach of Fraunhofer IFAM and his colleagues from the DIOL project held a workshop on ”Harmonizing Drone Operational Procedures for BVLOS Missions over the North Sea“ in Brussels. More than 40 stakeholders from the national civil aviation authorities, the ministries as well as ATC and military gathered with drone operators and offshore industry representatives to speak about the operation of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones) over the North Sea.

Fruitful discussions highlighted the importance of this topic for the North Sea coastal states. In the upcoming meeting, they want to further gather best practices and pave the way for safe and well-coordinated operations of UAS over the North Sea.

Scaling up UAS operations here is a key enabler in and outside the EU for efficient logistics powering the North Sea goal of 300 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050 of the recent Hamburg Declaration.

More information about the DIOL project: https://s.fhg.de/m2Ys

📩 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝘁: If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Tim Strohbach.

Hashtag#DIOLNorthSea Hashtag#Interreg Hashtag#Drones Hashtag#ODCC Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation

✨ Medizintechnik: PFAS-freie Führungsdrähte für Katheter ✨

Heute nimmt Dr. Ralph Wilken, Bereichsleiter Oberflächentechnik am Fraunhofer IFAM und PFAS-Fachmann, an der 𝗘𝗿ö𝗳𝗳𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴 »𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 – 𝗔𝗺 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝘀 𝘃𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁« im Deutsches Museum 𝗶𝗻 𝗠ü𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻 teil!

Die 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴 zeigt vom 𝟮𝟬. 𝗠ä𝗿𝘇 𝗯𝗶𝘀 𝟯𝟬. 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, wie eng die Gesundheit von Mensch und Erde miteinander verflochten sind – und was geschieht, wenn dieser gemeinsame Rhythmus aus dem Takt gerät. Sie umfasst die 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿, 𝗟𝘂𝗳𝘁, 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗳𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵ä𝗿𝗲.

In der 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹 »𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲« erfahren die Besucher:innen, wie Kunststoffe, per- und polyfluorierte Alkylsubstanzen (PFAS) und andere Chemikalien Umwelt und Gesundheit belasten – und welche politischen, technischen und materialbasierten Alternativen es gibt, um langfristige Folgen zu vermeiden, die mit neuartigen Stoffen in Verbindung stehen. Dort präsentieren wir unser »𝗞𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘇𝘂 𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘃𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗹ä𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻«.

PFAS wie Polytetrafluorethylen (PTFE) werden in der Medizintechnik auch aufgrund ihrer sehr guten Gleiteigenschaften eingesetzt. Bei Instrumenten, die in der minimalinvasiven Chirurgie zum Einsatz kommen, helfen solche Beschichtungen, die Reibung zwischen beweglichen Komponenten zu reduzieren. Dadurch lassen sich die Instrumente präziser und kontrollierter führen. Unseren Forschenden ist es gelungen, eine 𝗣𝗙𝗔𝗦-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗴 auf siliziumorganischer Basis mit vergleichbaren Material- und Gleiteigenschaften zu entwickeln, die auch in der 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗸 große Chancen bietet. Mit diesem Modell, können die Besucher:innen in der Ausstellung testen, wie gut die Gleiteigenschaft dieser Beschichtung im Vergleich schon ist.

Mehr Infos zu unseren PFAS-freien Lösungen für die Medizintechnik: https://s.fhg.de/wgyc

📩 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝘁: Bei Fragen wenden Sie sich gerne an Dr. Ralph Wilken.

Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation

🔥 Zukunftssichere Wärmeversorgung - Entwicklungen bei Gasheizungen verstehen 🔥

Deutschland steht vor der Herausforderung, bis 2045 auf fossile Brennstoffe wie Öl und Erdgas zu verzichten. Die Regelungen zum Einbau von Gas- und Ölheizungen befinden sich derzeit im Wandel. Auf Bundesebene wird aktuell diskutiert, bestehende Einschränkungen wieder zu lockern – und genau hier entstehen wichtige Fragen für Verbraucher:innen.

Am 𝟮𝟱. 𝗠ä𝗿𝘇 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (𝟭𝟴–𝟮𝟬 𝗨𝗵𝗿) lädt 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼 Politik und Bürger:innen zu einem konstruktiven und faktenbasierten Austausch im Rahmen der Veranstaltung »𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗴 – 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻!« im Haus der Wissenschaft Bremen ein. Dr. Martin Palovic vom Fraunhofer IFAM spricht über »𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 – 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗶𝗲 𝗷𝗲𝘁𝘇𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗜𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗺 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗻« und stellt das Kurzgutachten »𝗞𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿ü𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘇𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴« vor. Es zeigt mögliche Kostenentwicklungen für Haushalte, die weiterhin auf Gasheizungen setzen. Durch sinkende Kundenzahlen können die Netzkosten künftig auf weniger Haushalte verteilt werden – ein Aspekt, der für die langfristige Planung relevant ist.

Prof. Dr. Winfried Osthorst von der Hochschule Bremen beleuchtet zudem das Thema »𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗪ä𝗿𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲: 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗳ü𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗞𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗵𝘂𝘁𝘇𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲«.

Der Eintritt ist frei, eine Anmeldung ist nicht erforderlich.

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗸𝘁𝗶𝘃 ü𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝘇𝘂𝗸ü𝗻𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗲 𝗪ä𝗿𝗺𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻.

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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

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

25.6.2025

Wayland Calibur3 Installed at Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden

Scaling up Next-Generation Additive Manufacturing: Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden has successfully installed a Wayland Calibur3 system, marking the institute’s third facility dedicated to Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) and reinforcing its leadership in advanced additive manufacturing technologies.
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10.4.2025

High-performance elastomers and plasma polymer coatings to replace fluoropolymers in technical applications: new Fraunhofer project

Users of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals", are under pressure due to regulatory proposals from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This also affects the use of fluoroelastomers, whose economic significance is enormous. Fraunhofer experts initiated the "HATE-FLUOR" project at the beginning of February. Together, they want to develop high-performance elastomer compounds to replace fluoropolymers in certain technical applications. Various industries can benefit from this, including manufacturers of semi-finished and finished parts as well as companies in mechanical engineering industry, medical engineering, clean room and semiconductor technology, chemical process technology and electrical applications.
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3.4.2025

Shipping of the future: biodegradable antifouling coatings for clean seas

More sustainable antifouling coatings for ships are in demand. These innovative solutions should largely dispense with biocides and still withstand the challenges of maritime use. As part of the "BioSHIP" project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) under the "Maritime Research Program", industry and science are working together to develop such environmentally friendly coatings. The biodegradable, self-polishing coatings should not only offer the same functionality as conventional products, but also minimize the release of toxic heavy metals and microplastics into the sea - a major step towards green shipping.
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Events

20.4.2026

Hannover Messe 2026

Meet us at the Fraunhofer Group Materials joint booth (Hall 11, Booth D33), at the Lightweight Construction Pavilion (Hall 17, Booth G41), and at Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe (Hall 11, Booth E12). We look forward to seeing you there!
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25.3.2026

Coiltech 2026

At Coiltech, Fraunhofer IFAM will present its portfolio on the development, manufacture, and testing of electric drives.
more info

10.3.2026

AM Forum 2026

Meet experts from Fraunhofer IFAM at the AM Forum Berlin (booth 10) and discover innovative materials and solutions for industrial additive manufacturing.
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10.3.2026

JEC World 2026

The automation and production technology experts from Fraunhofer IFAM in Stade will be presenting their latest R&D results in the fields of assembly technologies, joining technologies, and integrated production systems at the Composites United e.V. joint booth at JEC WORLD 2026 in Paris from March 10 to 12. In addition, colleagues from the Fraunhofer IFAM training center in Bremen will also be at the trade fair to present certified training courses in the field of adhesive and fiber composite technology (in accordance with the new DIN 35255 standard).
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