Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGBHannover / April 20, 2026 - April 24, 2026
Hannover Messe
World’s Leading Trade Fair for the Manufacturing Industry
Hall 11, booth D33
Events and Fairs
Fraunhofer at HM26 – Innovations for Our Future
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will exhibit at HM26 under the motto “Innovations for our Future.” Various Fraunhofer institutes and the Fraunhofer Group for Materials will present technological innovations at the Fraunhofer booth from April 20 to 24, 2026. The Fraunhofer Liaison Office Brazil will also be present.
Visit us at the Fraunhofer booth in hall 11, booth D33. Our experts look forward to seeing you there!
Sustainable materials at Fraunhofer MATERIALS
Fraunhofer IGB, together with four other institutes of the Fraunhofer MATERIALS Group, presents innovative and sustainable materials.
Nature as a source of inspiration for high-performance materials of the future
Bio-based plastics or materials for the construction industry and agriculture can be produced from renewable raw materials in a resource-efficient and climate-friendly manner, while also offering access to exclusive functionalities. At Fraunhofer IGB, we exploit the molecular diversity of bio-based building blocks to develop new materials with specific functional advantages, such as high-temperature-stable polyamides, biofunctional and biodegradable finishing tapes for fruit growing, tailor-made fertilizers, and modified wool-based insulation boards. Our services for the development of these materials cover the entire innovation chain: from the selection of raw materials from biomass or CO2 to production and modification to characterization.
At the Fraunhofer joint booth, Fraunhofer IGB will be showcasing representative bio-based materials that have been produced using bio-inspired technologies from biogenic residues and raw materials. We would like to further develop these materials in collaboration with interested business partners in order to close the gap in the market for sustainable materials.
Are you looking for a partner to develop more sustainable products? Get in touch with us to analyze your raw and residual materials or develop new materials for your applications.
Materials of the future – where bio becomes a functional advantage
Caramides – bio-based polyamides from cellulose production residues
Our caramides (Caramid-R® and Caramid-S®) are 100 percent bio-based polyamides produced from a residue of cellulose production: the monoterpene (+)-3-carene. Due to their special chemical structure, these polyamides have exceptional thermal properties that make them interesting for numerous applications ranging from mechanical engineering — for example, for gears — to safety glass, polyamide foams, safety textiles, and even surgical suture material. Filaments, foams, and plastic glasses have now been produced from Caramid®.
Monofilaments, foams and plastic glasses made from Caramide
Bio-based grafting tape: protects the grafted wood and decomposes over time.
Biodegradable grafting tape for fruit growing with wound healing properties
In the Tape2Grape project, a multifunctional, biobased and biodegradable grafting tape is being developed. With the targeted use of bioactive components, the woody plants are to be actively supported in the healing process. Due to its biodegradability, the tape can remain in the growing area after application and decompose, as it is not harmful to the environment. Thus, Tape2Grape represents an economic and ecological added value in commercial as well as in organic fruit growing.
Bio-based additives for sustainable plastics
There is a high demand for bio-based additives in order to increase the proportion of renewable raw materials in the plastics industry. At Fraunhofer IGB, residues biomolecules specifically adapted to serve as additives for materials development.
Test rods made from bio-based materials with specifically adapted bio-based plasticizers
Customized fertilizer based on hemp shives for fast and long-lasting fertilization effects
Tailor-made fertilizer based on hemp shives
HanAkku is a completely bio-based fertilizer made from hemp shives, which is loaded with nutrients using deep eutectic solvents (DES). This allows the nutrients to penetrate deep into the porous structure, with some remaining on the surface of the absorbent biomass, resulting in a fast and long-lasting fertilizing effect. The composition can be adjusted according to soil and plant requirements, increasing nutrient efficiency and preventing overfertilization. In addition, the material improves humus formation and temporarily serves as a water reservoir, which sustainably increases soil quality.
Wool-based insulation boards
Sheep's wool is an underutilized raw material in Germany, produced as a by-product of ecological landscape management. To improve the utilization of this keratin fiber, SmartFelt has developed innovative insulation materials that offer improved properties for the construction industry and are also highly bio-based.
Insulation boards based on sheep's wool
A new biohybrid system made of redox hydrogels protects oxygen-sensitive enzymes and enables hydrogen-driven cofactor regeneration.
Bioelectrochemical cofactor regeneration for hydrogen-driven catalysis
The SynHydro3 project developed a biohybrid system that protects sensitive hydrogenases in redox hydrogels, enabling H₂-driven cofactor regeneration. The modular, scalable hydrogel beads are designed to power O₂-dependent enzyme cascades with hydrogen, providing a radical new sustainable platform for chemical synthesis.