Carbon cycle economy

Grafik zum Kohlenstoffkreislauf

Key technologies

Gasification

In thermochemical conversion by gasification, carbon carriers are converted into a gas containing H2 and CO at temperatures above 700 °C using a gasification agent. This synthesis gas is a basic chemical in the chemical industry and the starting point for a wide range of products. In addition to hydrogen and synthetic fuels, it can be used to produce the platform chemicals alcohols, paraffins, olefins and ammonia. The gasification process, which is usually carried out at high pressures for these applications, was originally developed primarily for the conversion of fossil fuels and used worldwide, but is attracting increasing interest for the material utilisation of waste due to its high flexibility.

Pyrolysis

In pyrolysis, carbon-containing waste is thermally decomposed into combustible gases, oils and solid residues at temperatures of approx. 400 - 600 °C in the absence of air. This requires the addition of heat and can be supported by the use of catalysts. It is an established thermochemical process for the production of oil and wax as well as waste treatment for the recovery of metal and fibres from composite materials. The use of waste-based pyrolysis oil in refinery processes as a substitute for naphtha is a favoured method for chemical recycling, particularly of used plastics.

Research topics

Chemical recycling

Chemical recycling - also known as feedstock recycling - is based on the conversion of carbon-containing waste into chemical building blocks in order to produce new chemical products. This turns waste into resources in the sense of a consistent circular economy and carbon is incorporated into new products instead of being emitted as CO2, as is the case with waste incineration. In this context, we deal with the primary thermochemical conversion of various waste and residual materials through pyrolysis and gasification, including peripheral processes, as well as the technical, socio-ecological and economic evaluation of the entire process chain from feedstock to product. One focus is on the integration of electricity and hydrogen from renewable sources.

Sustainable hydrogen production

Hydrogen plays a central role in the realisation of a climate-neutral economy. The provision of hydrogen itself must be climate-neutral and therefore sustainable. This applies in particular to the hydrogen source and the provision of energy for the production process. Our research focusses on hydrogen production via electrothermal or thermochemical conversion processes. This includes the pyrolytic splitting of methane, which produces so-called "turquoise" hydrogen, and the gasification or reforming of biogenic waste and residual materials with subsequent maximisation of the hydrogen yield.

CO2-Neutral mobility

CO₂-neutral synthetic liquid fuels are a climate-friendly addition to electric and hydrogen mobility. Not only can they directly replace fuels from fossil sources, they can also be mixed with them in any ratio (drop-in capability). This enables a continuous transition to these synthetic fuels, including the utilisation of the existing infrastructure for distribution and sales. A key area of application in the future will be in areas where electric and hydrogen mobility are reaching their limits. This applies in particular to the aircraft fleet, for which liquid fuels will continue to be indispensable in the near future. The focus of our research work is the synthesisation of "green" fuels based on methanol from laboratory to pilot scale, including catalyst and process chain evaluation.

 

Research projects

Efficient production of electricity and bio-coke through high-pressure  gasification of agricultural waste and residues

Challenge: In the AG-Power project, innovative solutions for the efficient production of renewable electricity and bio-coke from agricultural residues and waste are to be developed and validated on a pilot scale under practical conditions. The research focus is on the production of hydrogen-rich synthesis gas (main components H₂ and CO) at high temperatures and pressures (high-pressure gasification). The originality of the proposed approach lies primarily in the use of a novel process combination referred to as the Biomass-fired Top Cycle (BTC). The BTC system is to be tested for the conversion of agricultural residues and waste into electricity, bio-coke, and heat.

Our project: As a scientific partner, TU Bergakademie Freiberg will be involved in the joint project by determining kinetic data for the pyrolysis and gasification of agricultural waste and residues at high temperatures and high pressures. The KIVAN test facility intended for the investigation of gasification kinetics (solid throughput up to 1.5 kg/h) is specifically designed for determining reaction kinetics at process temperatures up to 1150 °C and process pressures up to 100 bar under entrained flow conditions. In addition, several thermogravimetric balances will be used to characterize the pyrolysis and gasification of solid samples (sample quantities from approx. 10 mg to approx. 2 g) under both atmospheric and high-pressure conditions. The data will be made available to the project partners for the development of the aforementioned technology.

Partners: KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm Sweden, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Polytechnische Universität Portalegre Portugal, H&O Development AB Sweden, Meva Energy AB Sweden

Funding: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Sächsische Aufbaubank (FKZ: 100728552

Duration: November 2024 – November 2027 (3 years)
 
PDF download

Advanced materials engineering for arc plasma-assisted production of hydrogen-containing syngas for clean energy utilisation

Challenge: In the context of plasma-assisted gasification of waste, especially with water vapour plasma for hydrogen production, high electrode erosion rates lead to uneconomical plant operating times.

Our project: Development of advanced electrode materials with high mechanical and chemical resistance to reduce the erosion of the electrodes under the influence of the arc and reactive gases. Furthermore, new electrode geometries with a monolithic three-dimensional structure are being developed and manufactured using additive processes in order to achieve better heat transfer during water cooling of the electrodes and to minimise thermally induced degradation of the electrodes.

Partners: AGH University of Krakow, DTU Technical University of Denmark, DBI Virtuhcon GmbH

Funding: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Sächsische Aufbaubank (Reference Number: project11426, funding code: 100728552)

Duration: 09/2024 - 08/2027

Find out more

PDF download

Begleitforschungsprojekt Wasserstoff in der Stahlerzeugung II, Nutzung von Biomasse/Reststoffen über die direkte Einbringung in den Schachtofen

Challenge: Die Produktion von Stahl verursacht einen erheblichen Kohlendioxid-Ausstoß. Um die CO2-intensive Stahlproduktion zu dekarbonisieren, ist eine Umstellung bestehender Hüttenwerke auf eine klimaneutrale Produktionsweise erforderlich. Dabei soll Stahl durch die Direktreduktion von Eisenerz mit Wasserstoff hergestellt werden – klimaschädlicher Koks als Reduktionsmittel wird dabei vollständig ersetzt.

Our project: Im Fokus des Teilprojekts steht die Produktion und Verwendung von Biomasse anstelle von fossilen Koksen sowie die Nutzung der Koppelprodukte aus der Biokohle-Erzeugung, vor allem Wasserstoff. Dazu wird die direkte Einbringung von Biomasse in den Schachtofen der Direktreduktion erforscht. Diese innovative Herangehensweise soll die gleichzeitige Reduktion der DR-Pellets und die Integration nachhaltiger Kohlenstoffquellen in einer einzigen Prozessstufe ermöglichen. Dies könnte potenziell sowohl energetische als auch wirtschaftliche Vorteile gegenüber der separaten Durchführung beider Prozesse bieten. Im Vorhaben soll die Machbarkeit des direkten Biomasseeinsatzes und die Bewertung des Potentials sowie der Durchführbarkeit des Verfahrens untersucht werden.

Partners: Salzgitter AG und TS ELINO GmbH

Funding: BMBF

Duration: 07/2024 – 12/2025

PDF download

Electrolysis-assisted production of chemical products from biomass and waste materials

Challenge: Synthesis gas is a key intermediate product for numerous chemical products. However, existing processes for biogenic waste have their limitations: gasification is energy-efficient but does not make sufficient use of the available carbon. Electrochemical processes based on high-temperature electrolysis achieve a high carbon utilization rate but require large amounts of renewable electrical energy. In addition, the usual supply of oxygen for gasification via air separation is energy- and cost-intensive.

Our project: Against this background, a combined process concept is to be developed and technically validated. For this purpose, biomass gasification and high-temperature electrolysis of water and CO₂ are coupled to form a joint synthesis gas process in order to increase the carbon utilization rate, reduce electricity consumption, and use the oxygen produced during electrolysis directly in the gasification process. A pilot plant is being operated at the Freiberg site for this purpose, where gasification, gas purification, and high-temperature electrolysis are being tested and evaluated in coupled operation. A techno-economic analysis of scalability and economic efficiency is being conducted alongside these tests. The project goal is to develop and technically validate the concept and evaluate its industrial feasibility.

Partners: -

Funding: Sächsische Aufbaubank – Förderbank – (SAB)
The funding is provided from resources of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and from tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament. 

Duration: August 2025 – December 2027 (2 years, 5 months)

PDF download

Green Methanol & Biomethane from Western Pomerania: From Production to Use Residual Material Gasification (bV-B2)

Challenge: In the bV-B2 funding project, a new gasification technology for the utilization of previously unused biogenic residual materials is being developed and tested. The goal is to create climate-friendly and sustainable utilization options so that residual materials from the agriculturally shaped biogeniV alliance region can be converted into high-quality, efficiently transportable, and widely applicable products.

Our project: The core of the project is the production of synthesis gas with the main components hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This gas serves as a starting point for numerous applications in the chemical and energy industries, including methanol production. The project thus contributes to reducing dependence on fossil resources, lowering CO₂ emissions, and building a sustainable bioeconomy.
The work focuses on further developing existing gasification processes and adapting them to the specific characteristics of biogenic residual materials. The project investigates questions regarding gas quality, energy yield, and pollutant reduction, as well as possibilities for recovering valuable materials—such as phosphorus. In parallel, concepts are being developed to enable economic operation of the technology in smaller, decentralized plants. This will make it possible to use the typical residual material quantities in the region in a profitable and sustainable way.

Partners: Stralsund University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Regenerative Energy Systems (HOST), Cosun Beet Company & Co. KG (CBC)

Funding: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space as part of the funding programme WIR!

Duration: September 2025 – August 2028 (3 years)

PDF download 

“Waste-to-Products” via chemical recycling of mixed waste streams to establish feedstock as well as product flexibility

Challenge: Economic development, urbanization and population growth combined with an increasing level of consumption have led to a rise in waste production, particularly in urban areas and mega cities. A sustainable management scheme for municipal solid waste is consequently of high priority, not only to prevent mega cities from drowning in waste but also to contribute to international efforts in climate change mitigation and environmental protection. Additionally, the availability of fossil feedstocks fluctuates and the pressure to find alternatives increases. 

Our project: The project CR-Waste2Products intends to bridge the gap between the challenges of sustainable waste management as well as the resource demand of the chemical industry using chemical recycling, thus tackling two challenges at once. Thermochemical conversion of locally available waste streams is investigated for the production of chemical feedstocks in order to reduce space demand for landfills and increase the independence of fossil feedstocks. This technology route is investigated in the Singaporean context considering the social, technological, economic, ecological and political dimension (STEEP-approach). 

Partners: Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg, AirLiquide Global E&C Solutions GmbH, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, ALBA Singapore SC Ltd.

Funding: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)

Duration: October 2025 – September 2028 (3 years)

PDF download 

Demonstrating a Circular Carbon Economy in Transport along the Value Chain

Challenge: Achieving greenhouse gas neutrality and the associated restructuring of the transport sector are currently major challenges at both national and international levels. In addition to CO₂ emissionfree electric and hydrogen mobility, climate-friendly propulsion options include synthetic liquid fuels, which, when considered holistically, emit less CO₂ than petroleum-based fuels and have the potential to enable nearly climate-neutral mobility.

Our project: In the collaborative research project DeCarTrans, which brings together project partners from research, the automotive and plant engineering sectors, as well as the mineral oil industry, the research team at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, together with its long-standing cooperation partner CAC Engineering GmbH, will produce several hundred cubic meters of synthetic gasoline by 2026. This fuel is generated from bio-methanol in the large-scale gasoline synthesis pilot plant in Freiberg. In May 2023, the first 15,000 liters of green gasoline produced in the project were made available to the project partners; two subsequent production campaigns by the end of June 2024 yielded an additional 125,000 liters. With production planned over a three-year period, the project aims to demonstrate the long-term operational capability of the technology and show that renewable synthetic fuels can make a significant contribution to achieving climate targets.

Partners: CAC Engineering GmbH; Coryton Advanced Fuels Deutschland GmbH; FEV Europe GmbH; Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Lother GmbH; other associated partners

Funding: Federal Ministry of Transport (BMDV), FKZ 16RK14004D

Duration: January 2023 – December 2026 (4 years)

Project website

PDF download

Development of the olefins-to-jetfuel process as a highly innovative stage in the production of paraffin from renewable methanol

Challenge: Thanks to their specific properties, liquid fuels are also of great importance in many areas of the energy sector in the long term. While electricity is a preferred alternative as an energy source, especially for cars and light lorries in cities, low-GHG liquid fuels are needed in particular for heavy goods transport over long distances, aviation and maritime transport, as well as for petrochemical precursors, lubricants and other products. The EwOPro project focuses on the highly innovative olefins-to-jetfuel process as the centrepiece of the methanol-to-jetfuel route.

Our project: The main objective of EwOPro is the detailed investigation of the process for converting olefins to paraffins or oligomers in the corresponding chain. oligomers in the corresponding chain length and branching within the methanol-to-jetfuel process, which is relevant for the target product fraction paraffin and the co-products high-octane/aromatic-free petrol and diesel/fuel oil. In particular, the focus is on knowledge-based catalyst development and optimisation of the process technology parameters of the individual process stages methanol-to-olefins (MtO), olefin oligomerisation (OtJ) and hydrogenation, as well as their combination. 
At the Chair of Energy Process Engineering, the STF+ pilot plant, which has been upgraded for operation in MtO mode, is being expanded to include scaled-up OtJ process stages. The oligomerisate produced during the subsequent experimental investigations for process optimisation will be made available to the project partners for hydrogenation, fractionation and fuel tests.

Partners: CAC Engineering GmbH, DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH, Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS (funded project partners) and other associated project partners

Funding: Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), FKZ 03EI3083C

Duration: 03/2023 - 08/2026

PDF download

Upgrading process gases with microwave plasma

Challenge: Process gases, such as pyrolysis gases or biogas, often do not meet the requirements for material recirculation by means of subsequent synthesis due to low calorific values, high CO2 content, or contamination with tars, higher hydrocarbons, or dust. They are therefore usually incinerated and often used to generate electricity and heat in combined heat and power plants. However, in many cases this method does not cover costs and also causes high CO2 emissions.

Our project: For the post-treatment of contaminated process gases (e.g., pyrolysis gas, biogas), a compact, transportable plant with a microwave plasma burner is being built as part of the project and tested in field trials. This produces high-quality synthesis gas, which can be processed into valuable substances such as methanol and returned to the material cycle. An ecological and economic comparison will be made between conventional recycling and the proposed solution.

Partners:  -

Funding: Europäischer Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Sächsische Aufbaubank (FKZ: 100770480)

Duration: June 2025 – November 2026 (1.5 years)

PDF download 

Green Lecture rooms at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Challenge: Science and research are often complex and can sometimes be difficult for outsiders to understand. In public discourse, discussions are often based on opinions rather than facts.

Our project: With GrünBerg, we want to transform central, unused outdoor areas of the university into green lecture halls and use them to connect the university with society. Student education should become more practice-oriented and relevant to real-world applications, and together, “green” implementation concepts for the energy and resource transition will be developed and discussed. Working on practical issues and interacting with “old hands” enables the “young wild ones” to benefit from their experience (tandem learning). The “green” lecture halls are intended to ease the transition from school to university and from university to the regional economy, and invite debates, discussions, and science slams.

Partners:  -

Funding: Stiftung Innovationen in der deutschen Hochschullandschaft

Duration: April 2024 – March 2026 (2 years)

PDF download 

Development and long-term demonstration of efficient energy storage with hydrogen and the HyCS process – cycle stability and modeling of a HyCS storage unit

Challenge: Hydrogen is one of the key energy carriers of the future to ensure a climate-neutral and environmentally friendly economy. However, for the implementation of the hydrogen economy, it is crucial that hydrogen is available at all times and at the locations where it is needed. In particular, suitable storage and transport solutions must be found for decentralized, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Our project: In the HyCS6000 project, we investigate hydrogen storage using iron pellets. The energy potential of hydrogen is stored in this way, achieving a higher energy density than with alternative hydrogen storage systems. The focus of the research project is on the scale up of the storage technology. For this purpose, a test unit is constructed and operated in long-term tests, and the process is modeled.

Partners:  AMBARtec AG

Funding: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Sächsische Aufbaubank (Reference number: 8633KYSBE, funding number: 100732587)

Duration: January 2025 – December 2027 (3 years)

PDF download 

Production and Storage of Hydrogen from Biogenic Residues and Waste Materials

The project InnoTeam Bio2H2 aims to develop a new technology for the production and storage of hydrogen from biogenic residues and waste materials. We are working on a thermochemical conversion route that enables the generation of hydrogen from sewage sludge and other biogenic residues and wastes.

Challenge:

The main challenge is to develop an efficient and cost-effective method for hydrogen production from biogenic residues and waste materials. The resulting syngas must then be used for indirect hydrogen storage in iron-based storage systems. This requires close collaboration across different disciplines such as chemistry, thermodynamics, and materials science.

Our Project:

This interdisciplinary research project focuses on developing a thermochemical conversion route to produce hydrogen-rich syngas from biogenic residues and waste materials. We are working on a process that allows the gasification of sewage sludge and other biogenic residues and the subsequent use of the produced syngas for indirect hydrogen storage in iron-based systems. Additional valuable materials such as phosphorus are also to be recovered.

The project includes the identification of a suitable thermochemical conversion route, the development of a process for gas cleaning and syngas utilization, the advancement of an iron-based storage system, as well as experiments and simulations to optimize process efficiency and cost.

Through close collaboration across disciplines and with our project partners, we aim to develop an efficient and market-ready process for the production and storage of hydrogen from biogenic residues and waste materials.

Partners: DBI-Virtuhcon GmbH, AMBARtec AG, MiViA GmbH

Funding: ESF Plus / SAB, 100756653

Duration: 02/2025 – 01/2027

PDF download

DATIPilot - Sprint - KS-Meth

Production of synthetic methane and phosphorus from sewage sludge, fermentation residues, and other biogenic residual and waste materials that cannot be used otherwise.

Challenge: The core idea of the project lies in a completely new approach to sewage sludge upgrading. Using an innovative thermochemical process (entrained flow gasification), phosphorus is recovered in a high-quality form on the one hand, and on the other, a synthesis gas is produced, which is converted into methane in a synthesis plant. All toxic components are thermochemically decomposed (e.g., pharmaceutical residues) or permanently bound in the slag (especially heavy metals).

Our project: The focus is on elucidating the release mechanisms of phosphorus contained in biogenic residues, establishing the engineering fundamentals for the efficient separation of released phosphorus compounds from the gas phase using suitable gas scrubbing processes, developing an economically viable phosphorus recovery concept, conducting a techno-economic assessment of the process chain for the material utilization of biogenic residues with combined recovery of phosphorus and carbon, as well as disseminating the latest findings on innovative sustainable solutions for the energy system of the future within the scientific community, industry, policymakers, and the general public.

Partners: DBI Virtuhcon GmbH

Funding: Federal Ministry for Education and Research (FKZ: 03DPS1065A)

Duration: November 2024 – April 2026 (1.5 years) 

PDF download 

Thermochemical phosphorus recovery under highly reducing conditions with consideration of the CO2 balance

Challenge: From 2029, many sewage treatment plant operators will be obliged to recover phosphorus from sewage sludge and make it available to the economic cycle again. In order not to emit the carbon contained as CO2 but to return it to the carbon cycle, incineration of the sewage sludge is out of the question.

Our project: Basic investigations for the combined recovery of phosphorus and carbon from sewage sludge using allothermal gasification. To this end, the necessary conditions for phosphorus release into the gas phase are identified and an economically viable phosphorus recovery concept is developed, which is verified with laboratory tests and gasification trials on a pilot plant scale.

Partners: RWE, TAF, PreZero Pyral GmbH, DBI Virtuhcon

Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (03EE5086)

Duration: 09/2021 - 06/2025

Find out more

PDF download

Plasma-assisted recycling of glass-fibre reinforced plastics

Challenge: Complex materials such as GFRP and CFRP composites – increasingly used in wind turbines, aviation, and automotive engineering – pose enormous problems in terms of its recycling. Conventional processes such as incineration or pyrolysis fail to completely recycle the fibers, emit an average of 2 tons of CO₂ per ton of GFRP waste, and generate hazardous fine dust particles. By 2040, specifically wind turbine rotor blades will generate over 560,000 tons of this kind of waste. In order to close material cycles and reduce CO₂ emissions, innovative processes for the efficient and low-emission processing of these resources are urgently needed. 

Our project: Gasification using steam arc plasma represents an innovative and emission-free approach to the material recycling of discarded fiber-reinforced plastics. By using a 65-kW plasma, temperatures well above 2,000 °C can be achieved even without any oxygen supply, which promotes the conversion of the inert glass and carbon fibers contained in the material. This produces high-purity synthesis gas (H₂/CO) for the chemical industry and a silica-rich melt as a raw material for the glass industry and thus for the production of new glass fibers. The process binds carbon in the long term, minimizes CO₂ emissions, and can be operated in a completely climate-neutral manner when using renewable energies. From a purely economic point of view, a further advantage is the avoidance of additional costs due to CO₂ emissions or the purchase of CO₂ certificates for compensation purposes.

Partners: Leibniz-Institut für Plasmaforschung und Technologie e.V. (INP), Institut für Umwelt & Energie, Technik & Analytik e.V. (IUTA)

Funding: VolkswagenStiftung (FKZ 0071924-02)

Duration: August 2025 – July 2029 (4 years)

PDF download

Renewable fuels from green refineries of the future

Challenge: To date, renewable fuels for road, air and sea transport cannot be produced selectively via a single process route. They are usually produced in different proportions together with other by-products.

Our project: The REF4FU project aims to develop, validate and evaluate sustainable refinery concepts that can be used to meet the future demand for renewable liquid fuels. Renewable methanol, Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons and pyrolysis oils will be used to produce, test and evaluate the fuels that are currently used in fleets and will be required in the foreseeable future using scalable technologies. The research work at the Chair of Energy Process Engineering will also focus on the production of larger quantities of oligomerisate for the project partners, for which liquid gas dosing and product separation will be retrofitted at the pilot plant.

Partners: DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gGmbH, German Aerospace Centre, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, CAC Engineering GmbH, EDL Anlagenbau GmbH, INERATEC GmbH (funded project partners) and other associated project partners

Funding: Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV), FKZ 16RK24001E

Duration: 12/2022 - 11/2025

Find out more

PDF download

Reduction of process emissions from phenol production using alternative carbon sources via pyrolysis

Challenge: Plastics are mainly produced from fossil raw materials such as crude oil. The petrochemical processes required for this inevitably generate by-products and emissions, in particular CO₂.
In this context. phenol is an important basic chemical and a key intermediate product in the manufacture of various plastics, including polycarbonate (PC). Phenol is mainly produced industrially using an established process that is associated with high greenhouse gas emissions and offers only limited potential for further emission reductions.

Our project: The joint project RePPPy aims to significantly reduce process emissions from phenol production by replacing fossil oil with plastic waste as a carbon source. The core idea is a selective pyrolysis process in which mixed polycarbonate waste streams (including PC blends with ABS, SAN, PMMA) are converted into a pyrolysis oil from which phenol in particular, but also styrene and MMA, are recovered as valuable products. This is expected to reduce raw material-related greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero, save up to approx. 50% CO₂ compared to the conventional phenol route, and at the same time reduce fossil resources and plastic waste.

Partners: Covestro AG, Fraunhofer UMSICHT

Funding: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR), FKZ: 01LJ2503B

Duration: December 2025 – November 2028 (3 years)

PDF download

Subproject WIR-V1.2-IV: Processing of fibre-containing waste and valuable materials

Challenge: In CFRP recycling, the high heterogeneity of waste streams (different components, resin systems, contaminants) and the demanding requirement to separate fiber and matrix as gently as possible hinder high‑quality reuse. Many processes result in shortened or damaged fibers that can only partially substitute primary fibers. In addition, high process and logistics costs, a lack of standardization of recyclate quality, and the limited integration of recycled CFRP materials into existing value‑creation and production chains to date all restrict the utilization potential.

Our project: In the project, a thermo‑chemical process (pyrolysis) for fiber recovery from CFRP‑containing waste is being developed and optimized from laboratory to pilot scale. Based on experimental investigations, an existing pilot plant will be adapted and operated. Building on the insights gained from pilot plant operation, the process parameters will be evaluated, and a design concept for a scalable, modular processing plant will be developed.  The aim is to establish a reliable process engineering basis for feeding large quantities of fiber‑containing waste in the Elbe Valley region of Saxony into downstream value chains as secondary raw materials.

Partners: Dresden University of Technology, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden

Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), FKZ: 03WIR6014D

Duration: July 2025 – June 2028 (3 years)

Find out more

PDF download

Back to the EVT homepage