Press Releases

At ILA 2026, Fraunhofer IFAM presents “HYTANK” project results on the efficient production of lightweight hydrogen tanks for zero-emission aviation

Which technologies are making aerospace safer and more competitive? And how can new propulsion systems, sustainable materials and satellite technologies be produced economically? Under the direction of Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE, researchers from the Fraunhofer‑Gesellschaft will be presenting answers to these questions at ILA, the leading international aerospace trade show, which will take place in Berlin from June 10 to 14, 2026.

At PCIM Expo 2026 in Nuremberg, Fraunhofer IFAM, Fraunhofer IMWS and Fraunhofer USA will jointly host an industry workshop focusing on advanced cooling technologies for next-generation high-performance electronics.

On June 1, 2026, Dr. Dirk Niermann handed over leadership of the Fraunhofer IFAM Stade branch to the next generation in order to begin building up the aerospace business unit at Fraunhofer IFAM in Bremen

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.

At Hannover Messe 2026, Fraunhofer IFAM in Stade, Germany, together with its partners, will present the Machine Tool Robot (MTR), honored with the second place of the Robotics Award 2026, as well as other automated, high-precision machining, joining and assembly technologies, right up to humanoid robotics

Lithium, cobalt and nickel are in high demand – and they are hard to obtain. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM are developing an electrochemical process to recover scarce raw materials in battery recycling. This new technology could also enable the extraction of rare earth elements from electronic waste in the future.

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.

With automation, digitalization and robotics as well as specially trained personnel into the efficient, high-rate and versatile production of the future

The SAMSON project – “Smart automation systems and services for fruit growing on the Lower Elbe” – funded by the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) and now extended until December 2027, is characterized by the fact that dialogue and professional as well as practical exchange with apple growers from the Altes Land region has been an essential part of the research and development work (R&D work) right from the start. In close cooperation with the Obstbauversuchsring des Alten Landes e. V. (OVR), Jork, the project partners Fraunhofer IFAM, Stade, HAW Hamburg, hochschule 21, Buxtehude, and the TU Hamburg are working together with practitioners to develop sustainable solutions for the cultivation practice of the future and to exchange constructive ideas in regular forums. The additional project period will serve to validate the R&D results achieved to date: the systematic analysis and processing of the data collected will then make it possible to provide practical decision-making aids for fruit growers. In addition, field and technical days as well as a regional conference will be held to further intensify the transfer of knowledge into practice.