Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST

Coatings and surface technologies for sustainable products and production systems

Fraunhofer IST stands for excellence in surface technology providing expertise in the associated product and production systems. Through modification, structuring and coating of the surface the most diverse functions and functionalities – and therefore future-oriented products and systems – are realized. In collaboration with customers from industry and research, we develop tailor-made and sustainable solutions: from prototypes, through economical production scenarios, and on to scaling-up to an industrial dimension – also taking into account closed material and substance cycles. Our key strength: We design the optimum process chains for your task on the basis of a broad spectrum of processes and coating materials.

 

News

 

Fraunhofer ZESS strengthens technology transfer and sustainable energy storage research

At a ceremony on October 5, 2026, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft officially opened the new building of the Fraunhofer Center for Energy Storage and Systems ZESS in Braunschweig. The German federal government and the State of Lower Saxony have invested approximately 49.85 million euros in the research facility. 

 

AI-based approaches for more energy-efficient industrial component cleaning

With the kick-off meeting of the “CleanGreen” joint research project, partners from industry and research began working together. The project’s goal is to develop methods that will allow the energy, water, and chemical consumption of aqueous cleaning systems to be better adapted to actual cleaning requirements in the future.

 

Taiwan: Christoph Herrmann appointed visiting professor

Christoph Herrmann, Professor of Sustainable Manufacturing and Life Cycle Engineering at TU Braunschweig and Director of the Fraunhofer IST, was appointed Distinguished Chair Professor at Feng Chia University FCU in Taiwan, effective 1 August 2026. The visiting appointment was formally presented during the Advanced Optics and Semiconductor Industry Forum held at FCU on 18 August 2026.

 

New Approaches to Sustainable Battery Raw Materials and Lithium Extraction

Lithium has become an indispensable part of our daily lives – it’s found in smartphones, e-bikes, power tools, and electric cars. At the same time, its extraction faces criticism because it harms the environment and local livelihoods. New technologies could bring about a decisive breakthrough. This is where the research project “PaNaBat” comes in.

 

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Sustainable development at the Fraunhofer IST

The Fraunhofer IST has also anchored sustainability in its mission statement. For the work at the institute, objectives 3, 6, 7, 9 and 12 are particularly relevant.

Trade fairs and events

Conference

Transparent Conductive Oxides

Leipzig, September 28 - October 2, 2026

Presentation on sputtered indium zinc oxide front contacts for tandem solar cells

Webinar

Climate Management as a Business Case

Online, September 30, 2026

Insights into economically viable decarbonization strategies

Trade fair for students

Brainstorm 2026

Wolfsburg, October 2, 2026

Interactive exhibits on the circular economy in the automotive industry, automated production systems, sustainable materials, and future vehicle concepts

Summer School

Automotive Circular Economy

Wolfsburg, Sept. 12 - 16, 2026

Presentation on sustainable production and Life Cycle Engineering

Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST

Main site Braunschweig

Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST

Riedenkamp 2
38108 Braunschweig | Germany

Phone: +49 531 2155-0
mailto: info@ist.fraunhofer.de

 

Cooperation with the Fraunhofer IST

We offer various possibilities for collaborative work. Please feel free to contact us.

 

Site BS-Airport

Fraunhofer ZESS

c/o Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen (NFF)
Hermann-Blenk-Str. 42 
38108 Braunschweig | Germany

 

Site Wolfsburg

Fraunhofer Center Circular Economy for Mobility CCEM

c/o Open Hybrid LabFactory e.V.
Hermann-Münch-Str. 1
38440 Wolfsburg | Germany