Press releases and news

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  • Feathers replace petroleum / 2024

    Adhesives from feathers

    Research News / March 01, 2024

    © Fraunhofer IGB

    Adhesives are almost always based on fossil raw materials such as petroleum. Researchers at Fraunhofer have recently developed a process that allows to utilize keratin for this purpose. This highly versatile protein compound can be found, for instance, in chicken feathers. Not only can it be used to manufacture a host of different adhesives for a variety of applications, but the processes and end products are also sustainable and follow the basic principles underlying a bio-inspired circular economy. The project, developed together with Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, addresses a billion-dollar market.

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  • Reproducible in-vitro canine skin / 2024

    Lab-grown canine skin provides a canvas for testing medical treatments

    Research News / February 01, 2024

    Dogs have sensitive skin. The lab-grown canine skin equivalent can be used to test the efficacy and compatibility of treatments and care products.
    © privat

    Reproducible in-vitro canine skin has been grown in a laboratory setting for the first time by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB. The research team developed a full-thickness dog skin equivalent based on native skin cells. This makes it possible to precisely test medical treatments in vitro on the sensitive skin of dogs. The skin equivalent can even be used to test the compatibility of care products such as shampoo or soap - eliminating the need for animal testing.

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  • On the terror attack against Israel

    Statement / November 03, 2023

    We at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB condemn the Hamas terror attacks against Israel in the strongest possible terms and express our deepest sympathy to all our Israeli partners, especially to the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Drug Discovery and Delivery @ Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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  • EthaNa® plant officially opened at Fraunhofer CBP / 2023

    Rapeseed makes more than just oil – it’s a source of proteins too

    Press release Fraunhofer CBP / May 03, 2023

    De-hulling system
    © Fraunhofer IGB

    At the Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP in Leuna, Germany, representatives from politics, research and industry opened a novel pilot plant for the mild processing of rapeseed to increase the added-value potential of rape as a raw material. Based on a biorefinery, the plant not only delivers high-grade, pre-raffinate-quality rapeseed oil, but also a high-grade, protein-rich rapeseed kernel concentrate, secondary plant substances dissolved in ethanol and rapeseed hulls, which represent further products. The plant was built as part of the joint research project EthaNa, which has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

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  • Wastewater treatment / 2023

    Plasma against toxic PFAS chemicals

    Press release Fraunhofer IGB / May 02, 2023

    The plasma atmosphere is clearly visible in the reactor through the characteristic glow and flashes of light.
    © Fraunhofer IGB

    Harmful PFAS chemicals can now be detected in many soils and bodies of water. Removing them using conventional filter techniques is costly and almost infeasible. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB are now successfully implementing a plasma-based technology in the AtWaPlas joint research project. Contaminated water is fed into a combined glass and stainless steel cylinder where it is then treated with ionized gas, i.e. plasma. This reduces the PFAS molecular chains, allowing the toxic substance to be removed at a low cost.

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  • Sustainable alternative to fossil resources / 2023

    Green gold: Torrefied biomass to replace coal and oil

    Press release Fraunhofer IGB / March 08, 2023

    Beechwood chips torrefied with superheated steam (right) have an increased calorific value compared to untreated chips (left) and moreover are hydrophobic.
    © Fraunhofer IGB

    In February, the Estonian-based startup New Standard Oil successfully commissioned their first industrial-scale prototype for drying and torrefaction of biogenic feedstock operating with superheated steam at atmospheric pressure. The energy-efficient process was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart, Germany, and produces valuable raw materials for the chemical and energy industries: basic chemicals, biocoal and water.

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  • The LIKE-A-PRO project (No. 101083961), funded by the European Union under the topic “HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-07” has officially started on November 1st, 2022. The project brings together key representatives along the entire alternative protein value chain (protein producers, ingredient & product developers, culinary centres, food clusters), scientists and market & communication experts in a trans-disciplinary consortium (42 entities in 17 countries) coordinated by the technological center CTIC CITA.

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  • Fraunhofer at MEDICA/COMPAMED 2022 / 2022

    Cost-effective alternative to a PCR test

    Research News / November 02, 2022

    The test chip is placed in the analyzer after applying the sample. Here it is heated to 62 °C so that the reaction can take place.
    © Fraunhofer IPT

    Speed or accuracy? As far as COVID-19 tests go, this was the choice you had to make. In the future, this dilemma could be a thing of the past. The Pathogen Analyzer combines the advantages of PCR testing and rapid antigen testing – it provides a reliable result after only 20 to 40 minutes. In not too long, this assay will be able to simultaneously detect up to 11 other pathogens. A demonstrator of the system will be exhibited at the MEDICA trade fair in Düsseldorf from November 14 to 17, 2022 (Hall 3, Booth E74/F74).

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  • Biointelligent sensor for measuring viral activity

    Press release of BioProS consortium / September 06, 2022

    Today, genome editing is almost as easy as programming software. However, the generation of viral vectors as initial material is still associated with many expensive and error-prone handling procedures. Viruses are generated via complex biological processes that have to be optimised virus-specifically in order to produce high-quality therapeutics. A new method is needed that simplifies and optimises these processes.

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  • Sustainable by design foamed bioplastics project launch

    Press release of VITAL consortium / September 01, 2022

    This summer, the VITAL consortium has kick started a three-year project that will tackle the biggest challenges faced when replacing conventional fossil-based petrochemical materials with sustainable bio-based alternatives.

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