Making PEM electrolysis cost-efficient and scalable

Carbon-based bipolar plates have the potential to replace titanium bipolar plates in the electrolysis stack

05-Aug-2024 - Proton exchange membrane electrolysis is considered the most promising way to produce green hydrogen. However, it is still not very economical at the moment. One reason: One of its key components – the bipolar plate – is usually made of titanium. The metal impresses with its corrosion resistance ...

Electrolysis meets "Direct Air Capture"

The "Air2Chem" project is developing an economical process for converting CO2 from the air into chemical base materials such as ethylene or syngas

25-Jul-2024 - In order to achieve its goal of decarbonizing raw material flows, the chemical industries must cover their carbon requirements from sustainable sources. The direct capture of CO2 from the air has hardly played a role so far – mainly due to the high investment and operating costs. The partners in ...

Removal of PFAS from water

Fraunhofer UMSICHT and Cornelsen optimize process

16-Jul-2024 - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a risk to humans and the environment due to their high stability and ubiquitous distribution. With the treatment technology PerfluorAd®, Fraunhofer UMSICHT and Cornelsen Umwelttechnologie GmbH have developed a market-ready process that removes PFAS ...

More environmentally friendly flame retardants for e-mobility and electronics

Lower environmental impact - high potential

27-Mar-2024 - Organophosphorus flame retardants are a possible alternative to brominated flame retardants. However, comparative life cycle studies on this type of flame retardant are still lacking. The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Energy and Safety Technology UMSICHT has now investigated the ...

Industrial areas become industrial hubs for the Circular Economy

The European Union wants to be the first digitally-led, climate-neutral and sustainable Circular Economy

19-Feb-2024 - In a functioning circular economy, different sectors must work together and symbioses between different technologies are a key prerequisite. To achieve this, systemic change is necessary. A consortium of 35 organizations from various countries in Europe is working on this in the Horizon Europe ...

Sustainable raw materials for a green chemical industry

Launch of the BEFuel project: From exhaust gases and wastewater to e-fuels and high-quality chemicals

29-Jan-2024 - How can e-fuels and biosurfactants for industry be produced from exhaust gases and wastewater? An interdisciplinary consortium coordinated by Fraunhofer UMSICHT is addressing this question in the newly launched BEFuel project. The focus is on coupled bioelectrochemical production – i.e. the ...

Recycling used tires using pyrolysis increases circularity and saves CO2

24-Nov-2023 - In a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA), Fraunhofer UMSICHT examined the recycling of used tires for the company Pyrum Innovations. With their special pyrolysis process, they achieve significantCO2 savings compared to thermal disposal methods and recover carbon black, an essential component ...

Inauguration of the world’s first pilot plant for the cost-efficient production of green methanol

Start-up C1 Green Chemicals AG and research partners develop fundamentally new production process

22-Nov-2023 - The world’s first pilot plant for the cost-efficient production of green methanol was inaugurated in the Leuna Chemical Park as part of the Leuna100 project. Behind it is a research consortium made up of the climate-tech start-up C1 Green Chemicals AG and its partners, Fraunhofer Institute for ...

Life Cycle Assessment of battery-grade lithium

Potential for lower emissions

19-Jun-2023 - Fraunhofer UMSICHT conducted a Life Cycle Assessment for battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) for the German-Canadian company RockTech. They plan to build a Converter in Guben (Lausitz) in order to serve the electromobility sector. The results: The LCA shows a base case carbon ...

Will ships run more environmentally friendly in the future?

Environmentally friendly fuels for shipping: biogenic additives

06-Jul-2020 - There is movement in the fuel market for ocean-going vessels. Targets to reduce ex-haust emissions require new sustainable ways of producing diesel and heavy fuel oil. What could these paths look like? What are the new raw materials? Researchers at Fraunhofer UMSICHT succeeded in mapping the ...