Press releases

For the 3^rd time in a row, Fraunhofer UMSICHT invites to the "Electrochemical Cell Concepts Colloquium – E3C": On May 19, scientists from Europe, Australia and America will come together virtually to discuss special designs and modifications of flow and non-flow reactors. The focus will be on CO₂ conversion and capture, 3D printed electrodes as well as innovative cell und stack concepts.

In the EU-funded project BioMates, the overall production process is now established and running on a validation scale. After producing 1000 kilograms of bio-oil in a test facility for the first time last year, this was another important step for achieving the project’s goal to establish a procedure to process sustainable raw materials instead of crude oil on large scale in refineries.

Reducing CO₂ in our atmosphere electrochemically and using it as a basis for chemical products – this is the goal of numerous projects in industry and research. The focus is no longer on developing new catalysts and electrodes, but on scalability and optimization of existing electrolytic systems. Scientists from Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Ruhr-Universität Bochum and RWTH Aachen took a closer look at one of these systems – the so-called zero-gap electrolyzer. Result: They were able to improve both the stability of the electrolyzer and the faraday efficiency for the CO produced over a longer period of time.

Rock Tech Lithium announced to collaborate with the Fraunhofer UMSICHT and supply chain tracking provider Circulor. The German-Canadian company, which plans to supply lithium hydroxide to manufacturers of batteries for electric cars from 2024, recently published plans for the first European lithium hydroxide factory (“Converter”) in Brandenburg. The Converter aims to become the first in the industry to achieve CO₂ neutrality and a closed material cycle for both lithium and valuable by-products.

Methanol is one of the world's most important compounds and is used, among other things, as a basic chemical or fuel. Its production is still mainly based on fossil raw materials such as natural gas or coal. In view of climate change, sustainable alternatives must be developed. Fraunhofer UMSICHT is working on the extraction of methanol from steel mill gases and sustainably produced hydrogen in the Carbon2Chem® project. The researchers are already successfully operating a demonstration-scale plant on the institute's premises in Oberhausen. In the next step, tests under real conditions are planned at a steel mill in Duisburg.

At today’s conclusion of the 5th UNEA Conference in Nairobi, which adopted a resolution to start negotiations for an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, the Roundtable on Marine Litter (RTM) is calling for a swift reduction of inputs of microplastics to the North Sea/Baltic Sea. In a new issues paper published under the coordination of Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the Roundtable illustrates many possibilities of reducing microplastics input to the marine environment. These include reducing tyre abrasion, developing/prewashing textiles with lower release, introducing more stringent requirements of insulation materials on construction sites. Marine plastic pollution is one of the most urgent problems facing the North and Baltic Seas. It has been traced in all areas of Germany’s seas and may be reprotoxic and impair the vitality of marine organisms and of those at the bottom of the marine food chain in particular. The reports says the full extent of the plastic pollution and its impact cannot be determined due to inadequate research and analytical methods.

The 3rd “Electrochemical Cell Concepts Colloquium – E3C” on May 19, 2022 will once again bring together interested parties, scientists and researchers whose research focuses on the numerous aspects of electrochemical reactors – like (flow) batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers or water treatment cells. Those who would like to use this event to present and discuss their results and findings can submit abstracts for presentations or posters by February 28, 2022.

Sustainability is inextricably linked with social change. In this context, science provides the basis and framework for establishing sustainable action. This can only succeed if those involved communicate with each other at eye level and trust each other. The UMSICHT Science Award honors people whose work strengthens trust between science and society. The prize is awarded in the categories of science and journalism and is endowed with a total of 10 000 euros. Applications can be submitted a until February 28, 2022.

Hard, ash, and natural turf pitches cannot always be played on due to the weather. By contrast, artificial turf enables year-round use – making this a popular, widespread surface. However, it is associated with negative effects on the environment, as shown by a system analysis of artificial turf pitches that has now been published in a report by Fraunhofer UMSICHT. The report covers topics such as the release of microplastics, recycling, and the choice of location, while also offering recommendations on how those responsible can take countermeasures and make artificial turf pitches more sustainable.

Recycling is the key factor in achieving the EU climate targets. This is shown by the results of the "resources SAVED by recycling" study published today, which Fraunhofer UMSICHT prepared on behalf of the ALBA Group, one of the ten leading recycling companies worldwide. According to the study, 3.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 28.8 million tons of primary resources could be saved in 2020 alone. Further potential could be raised, for example, through minimum quotas for the use of recycled raw materials.