Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICTResource efficiency and sustainability are at the heart of the material, process and concept development carried out by the recycling and resource efficiency management group. Starting from the characterization of material flows in terms of their potential reusability in high-value applications, preparation and processing methods are identified, further developed and implemented on a pilot scale in order to close material cycles.
Recycling and resource efficiency management
Characterization of material flows
Beside chemical analysis we offer the measurement of particle size and fiber length in waste and material mixtures. Biodegradability studies can also be performed.
Treatment of valuable waste streams
In a well-equipped recycling management pilot plant we develop and optimize sorting and comminution methods for material compounds and mixtures, which are later implemented by our industrial partners.
Resource-efficient production processes
The development, production and exploitation of products according to eco-friendliness and efficiency are our main research focus. Our technology developments cover a variety of sectors and production processes.
Strategy and consultancy
Beside technological development we offer our partners in the public and private sector consultancy services on sustainability and resource efficiency.
Life Cycle Gap-Analyse (LCG-A)
Life cycle analysis means evaluating the costs (life cycle costing – LCC) and the potential environmental impacts (life cycle assessment – LCA) of a product system throughout its life cycle, from cradle to grave, i.e. from the raw material extraction to its disposal (end-of-life - EoL).
To identify the real potential on energy and resource efficiency within the context of a circular economy, the results must be interpreted in a different - circular - way. The costs of manufacturing a product must be directly compared with the revenue from its EoL (credits for the reuse or recycling of individual product components). The resulting difference is the system loss of a circular economy, referred to as the »life cycle gap«.
Life cycle gap-analysis (LCG-A) was developed as a methodical interpretive approach - rooted in the fourth methodological phase of an LCA (the interpretation) - which enables various stakeholders from research and development, industry and politics to identify and disclose these circularity gaps for individual products. The mandatory sequence of steps within the methodology means that new solutions to close these gaps can be evaluated against the backdrop of total cost optimization, i.e. taking account of possible negative trade-offs of other stages in the life cycle, making an effective contribution to sustainability.