Institute of Polymer Engineering

School of Engineering and Environment

We create sustainable, plastic-based product and processes innovations with a focus on high-performance polymers and composites.

We achieve the level of ingenuity required for this by implementing an interdisciplinary approach, fusing together the fields of raw materials, construction and processing. In doing so we approach product development with plastics in a holistic way.

Our expertise in the fields of chemistry and analytics, process engineering and structural mechanics blends very well with the surface structuring and functionalisation expertise of the FHNW Institute of Polymer Nanotechnology.

Research focus areas

Selected projects

We support innovative companies in exploring the latest technologies and methods and in translating them into practical applications. We collaborate with national and international research partners and facilitate access to funding opportunities such as Innosuisse projects or European Union research programmes.

Foamed sandwich panels made of recycled mixed plastic

Together with UpBoards GmbH, recycled foamed sandwich panels made of mixed plastic were developed, including an efficient manufacturing process.

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering

Electromagnetic shielding with conductive plastic housings

To shield interfering signals from electronics, plastics must meet high EMC requirements. They are then used as substitute materials for die-cast metal housings.

Institute: Institute of Automation, Institute of Polymer Engineering
Research field: Automation

Digitization of the temperature control unit

Innovative, model-based thermal industrial systems: Tool Temp AG and three institutes of engineering at the FHNW realized a novel control technology concept.

Institute: Institute of Automation, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Institute of Polymer Engineering

Functional prosthetic legs made of glass fiber reinforced plastic recyclate

Worldwide, 35 to 40 million people depend on prostheses and orthopedic services. Project Circleg has therefore the goal to develop a prosthetic leg system that is adapted to the needs of People with an amputation in low to middle income countries.

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering

Bipolar plates made from conductive polymer compounds

A new approach to produce innovative polymer composite bi-polar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering

Novel method for composite production with injection compression moulding

A novel composite production method, thermoplastic compression resin transfer moulding (TP-CRTM) coupled with injection compression moulding.

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering

Integrated RFID tags in polymer injection molding

For the traceability of plastic components, if at all, they are marked with a simple code. The current methods for these codes are complex and do not offer the possibility of storing additional information. In the future, it should be possible to store important characteristic data of the injection molding process, the material properties and the component itself in the component by using an RFID tag.

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering

Improvement of additive manufactured parts by nanofibers

Huntsman’s Miralon material increases mechanical performance and conductivity of thermoplastics for 3D printing and injection moulding.

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering

Sustainable recycling of glassfiber reinforced plastic

Plastic waste represents valuable resources. By recycling them and returning them to the materials cycle, we make our contribution to a more sustainable economy and at the same time protect our environment. Our focus is on the recycling of glass fiber-reinforced thermosets.

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering, Institute of Bioenergy and Resource Efficiency
Research field: Micro- and nano-technology, Energy and environment

Reusability of blister packaging from the medical technology industry

To save raw materials and protect our environment, it is necessary to return plastic waste to the economic cycle by recycling.

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering

Durable toe boards made of recycled plastics

Toe boards made of recycled plastic can replace wooden boards for scaffolding construction.

Institute: Institute of Polymer Engineering

Quality enhancement through digitalisation

Using digital technologies, Biotronik significantly increases the quality of its products.

Institute: Institute of Data Science, Institute of Polymer Engineering, Institute of Interactive Technologies

Laboratories

Lightweight and Composite Lab

In the Lightweight and Composite Lab, fibre-reinforced materials are developed, characterised and tested through to prototypes.

Polymer Processing Lab

The Polymer Processing Lab processes and characterises materials according to established procedures, from formulation through prototyping to reuse.

Polymer Chemistry Lab

We offer synthesis, modification and wet-chemical analyses of plastics, as well as sample preparation and ageing tests.

Analytical Lab for Polymers

The Analytical Lab for Polymers offers the characterisation of plastic samples using thermoanalytical and spectroscopic methods.

Network and partners

CC Schweiz is the Swiss regional department of Carbon Composites e.V." and was chosen as a national thematic network (NTN) by the Swiss Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI). CC Schweiz focuses on promoting the use of high-performance fibre composite technologies in Switzerland. Our institute is a founding member and co-initiator of CC Schweiz. Prof. Dr. Christian Braun er is acting President of CC Schweiz.

The Innovation Booster promotes the implementation of 100% circular concepts and solutions in Switzerland. Between 2021 and 2024, the program will support Swiss start-ups and established companies with funding and knowledge transfer, helping them to transform their systems and our society from a linear to a circular economy.Prof. Dr. Christian Rytkais a member of the Innovation Booster Applied Circular Sustainabilityconsortium.

Publications

We regularly publish the results of our work in specialist journals and present them at conferences.

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Other Listings

Swiss Sustainable Polymer Conference SSPC

The Swiss Sustainable Polymer Conference (SSPC) is the first Swiss-wide exchange platform for networking between industry and science in the field of the sustainable transformation of the plastics industry. In addition to informative presentations and laboratory tours, the conference offers showcases from innovative partners and start-ups as well as a wide range of networking opportunities.

About us

Team members of the institute

The interdisciplinary nature of polymer engineering requires a multitude of skills and wide-range expertise as are to be found at our institute: chemists, materials scientists and engineers all work together to develop innovations that can be launched on the market, thereby making a contribution to the competitiveness of the industry.

Team members of the institute