Fraunhofer POLO®

Polymer surfaces

Polymers are materials with a wide range of properties that are used in many different areas. In addition to synthetic polymers, which are also commonly called plastics, biopolymers, i.e. polymers of natural origin, are increasingly in demand in technical applications. The application properties of products made from these materials can be improved or extended by functionalizing the surface. For this important technical process of coating or modifying surfaces, specific strategies and technologies have been developed in recent decades and are widely used in industry. However, there is still considerable potential to utilize the useful properties of these materials in ever new applications. We are developing new materials and technologies for this purpose.

is an acronym for POLymere Oberflächen (polymer surfaces) and a registered trademark used to provide Fraunhofer POLO^®'s research and development services. Fraunhofer POLO^® combines the competencies of experts from various institutes working from different backgrounds in the field of polymer surfaces.

Expertise based on many years of experience allows the development of new concepts, innovative processes and modern materials related to surfaces of plastics and natural polymers.

We offer the following services regarding the functionalization of polymer surfaces:

• Concept development
• Feasibility studies
• Process and material development
• Plant planning and design
• Production introduction of new processes and materials
• Development of process control and quality assurance
• Trouble-shooting of existing processes

Some examples can be found here. Our services are listed here.  

Customer specific solutions

We develop surface functionalizations, layers and coatings as well as technologies to produce and test them individually for your demands.

One stop shop

From basic investigations and feasibility studies to the complete production line – POLO® is your partner at all stages of development.

Securing your competitive edge

With our products, you create unique selling points for your products, which secure them advantages in the market and we guide you to sustainable production.

Quality assurance

We offer solutions to ensure the quality of your products with in-line technologies and help with the development of test protocols.

Innovative materials

With our solutions, you obtain materials with the same or superior properties while significantly reducing the amount of material used to conserve resources for sustainable products.

Minimum efforts  

Production is by standard methods, e.g. roll-to-roll, spraying, dipping, spin-off, doctoring, rolling, pad printing, screen printing, inkjet printing, photolithography, embossing.

Reduction of production and logistics costs

Low processing costs reduce associated costs, such as production and logistics costs – thus our products create savings potential.