Conventional plastics are made from fossil raw materials such as crude oil and natural gas. To reduce dependence on these raw materials and consequently reduce CO₂ emissions from fossil sources, conventional plastics are increasingly being replaced by bio-based products. In terms of sustainability, it is essential to use them efficiently and to increasingly recycle them.

The "Polymer Applications" Business Unit focuses its research on plastics processing and the optimization of polymer materials for improved energy and resource efficiency, as well as the digitalization of production processes to increase efficiency in industrial production. In addition, polymer synthesis and processing from scale-up to near-industrial scale can be carried out at the Fraunhofer PAZ.

With his new task as Business Unit Manager at the Fraunhofer IMWS and as professor at the Merseburg University of Applied Sciences, Maik Feldmann would like to further advance developments in the field of "polymer applications and processing" and train qualified young professionals. "Questions of plastics processing and the optimization of polymer materials are becoming increasingly important in the context of current social and scientific-technical challenges. Significant progress can be realized here through the development of new materials and processes up to large scale serial production. I look forward to tackling these challenges with our partners in the business community," says Feldmann.

Maik Feldmann studied mechanical engineering at the University of Kassel, where he received his Ph.D. in 2012. Since 2008, he has held various positions at the Institute of Materials Engineering at the University of Kassel, including Head of the "Materials Development and Composites" department in the university's plastics engineering division. At the same time, he was managing director of the "Safe Materials" research network for several years. Before joining Fraunhofer, Feldmann worked at Hexagon Purus GmbH on the development of lightweight high-pressure storage tanks for hydrogen storage and their manufacturing processes.

Prof. Erica Lilleodden, Institute Director of the Fraunhofer IMWS, explains: "I am very much looking forward to working with Maik Feldmann, who will be an excellent addition to the portfolio of the research area due to his engineering background. His experience in industry as well as his expertise in materials development, especially in the use of composites for hydrogen storage and transport, are an asset to our institute."