The Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT (
The main focus of research at the facility will be fiber composites for lightweight construction in various markets. Work will be oriented particularly towards the regional North American market. The Fraunhofer Project Centre will be equipped with a hydraulic press with a maximum clamping force of 2,500 tons, suitable for research on parts in full industrial scale.
Material and process research will focus on direct sheet molding compound (D-SMC), long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) and high-pressure resin transfer molding (HP RTM) for the sustainable use of high-volume composite technologies in the automotive industry, machines and equipment industry and aviation industry. Other areas of focus include:
Research in materials, simulation, design
Optimizing of existing processes and materials
Development of new processes and materials as well as transition of lab
scale basic research results into industrial applications
Part, process, material and tooling innovations
Competence along the whole value chain from product engineering up to manufacturing of demonstrator parts
The joint Project Centre will run for an initial period of five years.