Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS
Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS

Minister Jörg Felgner visits Fraunhofer IMWS

Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister for the Economy and Science Jörg Felgner presented three grants with a total value of 1.2 billion euros at Fraunhofer IMWS. The research projects will be implemented by the new Chemical and Biosystem Technology High-Performance Center together with companies from the region. The focus lies on material investigations into thermoplastic-based lightweight engineering structures, improving biogenic adhesive systems, and micro- and nanoparticulate application systems for medical active ingredients.

Upon presenting the grants, Felgner said: »Fraunhofer IMWS is an important point of contact for local business. In Halle, foundations are laid for increased material efficiency and resource conservation. With the new national Chemical and Biosystem Technology High-Performance Center, Fraunhofer IMWS is now taking things a step further. The even closer links created between companies, universities, and research institutions in these areas, which are so important to Saxony-Anhalt, will create momentum, both for excellent research and for sustainable economic development, and to extend the value creation chains in the region. The High-Performance Center is in a very good position and will become a beacon of research both inside and outside the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.«

The Chemical and Biosystem Technology High-Performance Center opened in 2016 is coordinated by Fraunhofer IMWS as one of 15 national High-Performance Centers around the country. The state is supporting the creation of the High-Performance Center with around 7.3 million euros in the next three years – funding is provided for application-based research projects and two early career researcher groups at Fraunhofer IMWS and at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, which is involved in the High-Performance Center. What’s more, the High-Performance Center is financed by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the companies involved, with a total investment sum of 13 million euros.

The Minister, who was visiting Fraunhofer IMWS for the first time, was greeted by Institute Director Prof. Ralf B. Wehrspohn. Prof. Andreas Heilmann, Spokesman for the Board of Directors at the Chemical and Biosystem Technology High-Performance Center, presented the High-Performance Center’s activities so far and its further aims. Dr. Christoph Mühlhaus, chairman of the Supervisory Board at the High-Performance Center, explained what stimulus the regional economy can expect from the High-Performance Center. To close, the Minister presented the importance that the High-Performance Center has for Saxony-Anhalt, and familiarized himself with current projects at Fraunhofer IMWS on a tour of the Institute.