Sustainability at Fraunhofer IFAM

Our understanding of sustainability at Fraunhofer

To us at Fraunhofer, sustainability means assuming comprehensive responsibility for a future worth living in and doing our part to make sure it comes to pass. With our more than 30,000 people, we transform ideas into innovative solutions to meet the huge societal challenges of our time.

Our research is focused on five overall societal objectives:

• Digitalized value chain
• Fully circular economy
• Energy transition accomplished
• Affordable healthcare
• Security and resilient society

 

Sustainability at Fraunhofer IFAM

At Fraunhofer IFAM, over 400 scientists are working on current topics in the fields of materials research and production technology. We want to pool the broad spectrum of expertise, from chemists to engineers, from automation experts to physicists and biologists, and use it for projects relating to sustainable materials development and production technology. Many years of experience meet new ideas from young scientists and combine broad knowledge with innovative new approaches for a common future.

But for Fraunhofer IFAM, sustainable research does not just begin in our projects: Our employees are committed to increasing the institute's energy efficiency and thus becoming climate-neutral in the long term. To this end, we are taking the following steps:

• Reducing energy consumption by lowering air exchange rates in laboratories, lecture halls, etc.
• Installing a PV system for our own electricity consumption
• Sustainable mobility through folding bikes for business trips
• Introduction of an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 for the continuous reduction of energy-related performance