Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme (IKTS)

For more than 30 years, Fraunhofer IKTS has been demonstrating the potential of ceramic materials in a constantly growing range of application areas. Our development work is derived from the needs of the nine market-oriented business fields - supplemented by strategic preliminary research at the highest scientific level.

Our drive is to develop holistic system solutions and services, but also to solve specific challenges within the processes of our partners from industry and science. Thanks to our expertise in the characterization and analysis of materials, components and systems throughout their life cycle, we have a unique pool of data that enables us to carry out new developments faster and more efficiently.

We offer state-of-the-art equipment on more than 40,000 m², competent employees and results-oriented research management. This makes us the point of contact for companies and research partners to develop the unique properties of ceramic materials for new and improved applications. Our special areas of expertise include

Materials

We qualify ceramics, hard metals, composite materials and material composites for specific application scenarios and master all the necessary manufacturing processes. We open up new fields of application through the targeted combination of structural and functional material properties. We can transfer developments from laboratory to pilot plant scale and realize the prototypes and pre-series required for market entry, establish industrial production processes and implement quality processes.

Process engineering

We are one of the world's leading research institutes in the field of complex ceramic-based systems for energy-efficient separation processes, chemical material conversion and the recovery of valuable materials. Our approaches are based on the sustainable use of resources and closed material cycles. We can model, validate and optimize relevant parameters for these processes in state-of-the-art laboratory and pilot plants. Thanks to our excellent infrastructure, we are able to realize projects of various sizes and scales.

Data-supported analysis and monitoring

Efficient analytics and quality control are required to increase the market acceptance of new materials - from raw material evaluation to use and recycling. When developing new materials and products, clarifying complex failure mechanisms or ensuring qualitative standards, we rely on new sensor concepts, robot-assisted measurements and the possibilities of cloud-based data acquisition and AI-supported data evaluation. We also offer inspection systems for monitoring the condition of production facilities, thereby ensuring optimum product quality, low inspection costs and reduced maintenance costs.

System demonstration

For energy and process engineering systems, we are able to implement a targeted system demonstration based on market and customer requirements on the one hand and the available technological options on the other. Material or technology issues are dealt with at the individual stages of the value chain, prototypes are evaluated on the basis of comprehensive validation and target/actual analysis of market readiness, and production and quality processes suitable for series production are developed. This qualifies us as a complete service provider for the entire process of technology development and the step-by-step transfer of knowledge to the customer's series development.

Project management

Fraunhofer IKTS has proven expertise in the planning and realization of research projects of varying scope - from short-term support to large-scale transnational projects. In contract research with small and medium-sized companies, we provide flexible and timely support with customized services or development processes. In complex large-scale projects with various consortium partners at national and international level, we provide support from the application stage through project coordination to the communication of project results and the development of exploitation strategies.

Cross-site quality management

Quality, traceability, transparency and sustainability are among the most important instruments for us in order to provide partners and customers with valid, reproducible and resource-saving research results. We therefore have a standardized management system according to DIN EN ISO 9001 and an environmental management system according to DIN EN ISO 14001. In addition, the institute is certified in its sub-areas according to further guidelines, including EN ISO 13485:2016 and is regularly subjected to various industrial audits.

Network builder

We are active in numerous regional, national and international alliances and networks. By establishing and actively working within various networks, Fraunhofer IKTS is able to identify and communicate complementary expertise at an early stage and integrate it for successful product development. In this way, solutions can be found together in the interests of our partners.