Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

3×3 Questions: Plastics

Prof. Maik Feldmann, head of the Polymer Applications business unit, Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS  

 

What interests you personally the most about plastics?

The diversity. For a start, plastic is a material that makes our everyday lives easier − often more so than we realize. And plastics can be used in areas of construction where metal wouldn’t be as efficient. For example, a plastic-based pressure tank for hydrogen weighs only a quarter as much as a metal one with the same storage capacity.
 

Which trend regarding plastics and sustainability is making you particularly optimistic?

There are two statistics I’m especially optimistic about. The statistic on the bioplastic market from European Bioplastics e. V. shows a significant trend toward biobased plastics. And the numbers from the German Environment Agency (UBA) on material recycling are showing growth there as well; both of these situations are creating exciting avenues of research for us. The global waste issue, greater numbers of environmental laws and rising levels of environmental consciousness among consumers are all sure to strengthen this trend further.
 

What makes a “good” plastic, in your opinion?

A good plastic is one that is ideally suited to the requirements it must fulfill for processing and use, and that makes a durable product while creating the smallest possible carbon footprint. The design and processing methods for the material must be matched to its properties. The raw materials you choose are also important. Ideally, residual or waste materials should be used here.

Dr. André Lehmann, head of the Fiber Technology department, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP
 

What interests you personally the most about plastics?

I’m interested in the diversity that comes with plastics, and the fact that you can use them to make a nearly endless range of shapes. This is reflected in the wide range of processing technologies and applications that exist for plastic. So THE plastic doesn’t exist − there’s a wide variety, each tailored to a specific application. 

Which trend regarding plastics and sustainability is making you particularly optimistic?

I’m optimistic because a variety of material cycles have already been established in sectors such as the textile industry; and due to this, the market share of fibers made from recycled raw materials is growing steadily. PET is ahead here: 15 percent of recycled fibers used annually, equivalent to around 9 million tons, come from PET. However, recycled cotton textiles can also be converted into man-made cellulosic fibers for new textiles. Progress is also being made in terms of research into chemical recycling, which will in turn help to further drive the transition from linear to circular material systems. 

What makes a “good” plastic, in your opinion?

“Renewable carbon” is a key concept here. It’s all about making sure the circular plastic economy is energy-efficient, with the lowest possible level of loss. A good plastic also needs to be recyclable, though that must not affect its functions and quality. This is a huge challenge that we at Fraunhofer IAP are working on together with partners from industry.

Dr. Katharina Koschek, head of the Polymeric Materials and Mechanical Engineering department, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
 

What interests you personally the most about plastics?

Plastics have such a diverse range of potential applications, and it’s impossible to imagine daily life without them. The structural and microscopic differences between them may be negligible, but the effect on the resulting material is often enormous. But despite being fascinated by them, of course I can also see the enormous environmental issues associated with plastics. As we develop new materials, and deepen our understanding of the structure and properties involved, we can address these issues and create functioning plastic recycling loops.

Which trend regarding plastics and sustainability is making you particularly optimistic?

Germany was one of five European countries to have a recycling rate of over 40 percent in 2020. I see that as a positive step toward a future for the plastics industry where there are no additional fossil resources entering the loop − instead, the loop would be based on renewable carbon to the greatest extent possible. Looking to the future, we need to make further technological advances in areas such as increasing the recycling rate for mixed plastics. 

What makes a “good” plastic, in your opinion?

I believe most plastics themselves are “good,” but I take a critical view of the throwaway culture we have around them. We don’t recognize the value in plastics and often forget that they don’t just last a long time, but also work miracles, big and small, in their respective domains. By changing our behavior in terms of using and handling plastic more consciously, together with designing materials to be recyclable, we can take plastics from being “good” to “outstanding.”