Sustainable production and transformation

In the technological and socio-economic transformation of our economy towards climate neutrality, we support companies through the use of specific roadmaps that lead to the development of concrete transformation paths. In this process, we draw on our decades of methodological leadership in life cycle-based sustainability assessment (LCA).

• Fossil free 4 Industry
• LOCA 2 Transformation
• CliN Steel

Our set of methods for the ecological optimisation of the environmental impacts within our production economy – starting with raw material extraction, and continuing through production, distribution and application, all the way to beneficial recycling options – enable products and services to be embedded in the circular economy of tomorrow.

• Recyclable paper-based printed circuit boards
• LCA für Fahrzeuge

Capture and analysis of material properties using hyperspectral analysis and machine learning to provide high quality raw materials for sustainable production. Characterisation is carried out at all stages of the recycling chain, but also as an input control to ensure the required raw material quality for production.

• AI-based material analysis for the circular economy
• Hyper-3D Image Processing Lab

Companies are affected by increasing climate risks in several ways, both directly at their production sites, and through their position in global value chains. State-of-the-art methods are used to drive the development of risk management systems using high-resolution data sets.

• Weather and climate risk management
• WEDDA

The portfolio of photopolymers includes coatings that have been developed in-house for UV imprint lithography (NILcure®). The photoresists in the product line are tailored to customer-specific applications in terms of their mechanical, chemical and optical properties for various substrates.

• NILCure

Our R2R-UV-NIL pilot line enables the continuous and cost-effective production of microstructures and nanostructures on flexible large-area film substrates for applications in various areas including lighting, photovoltaics, AR/VR, microfluidics, diagnostics, security, film finishing and packaging, as well as for the pharmaceutical industry and life sciences.

• R2R-UV-NIL pilot line
• Roll-to-roll nanoimprint system

Automation and robotics can help to increase productivity and combat staff shortages. But assessing ROI or economic viability can be a challenge. Our services include analysing cycle times, CAPEX or higher market prices due to improved production quality.

• Technical and economic feasibility studies
• Production automation

In the production of goods with a higher degree of recyclability, we are often faced with raw materials that naturally vary in composition, which means that they necessitate more complex sensor systems and greater adaptability in processes. We support companies in overcoming these and other challenges encountered in the planning and implementation stages.

• ROBOTICS Solution Center
• Production automation

We use finite element methods (FEM) and physical modelling to simulate physical systems with coupled electromechanical and thermomechanical properties and microfluidics. This makes it possible to save costs and time while evaluating new concepts and optimising designs for various applications.

• Optical simulation, design and prototyping

We are developing a piezoelectric platform to power wireless sensors/sensor networks by harvesting energy from motion and vibration. This technology enables us to realise self-sufficient, energy-efficient sensor systems for sustainable products.

• Piezoelectric platform for energy supply