You are here: interpack Magazine. Business & Latest News.
Research without Borders
Articles
Research without Borders
Working for the future for 60 years now: the Fraunhofer Society is celebrating an important anniversary this year. Over the past six decades the Fraunhofer Society has developed from a small “club” with three employees into the leading organisation for applied research in Europe. The last few years saw Fraunhofer set up additional Representative Offices in Asia, the Middle East and Moscow. After all, research knows no borders.
On 26 March 1949 the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft was founded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economics. Back then the main aim was to develop new structures for research after the destruction left by the war and to provide new momentum for economic reconstruction. This brief is still just as valid – something underlined by the Society’s president Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger: “Today, as we face the most serious crisis in global economy since 1929 it will now be just as important as back then to adjust quickly and consistently to changing conditions and to open up new perspectives with innovative products and processes.” Despite the financial crisis, many companies are banking on investment in research and development, he added, but the type of orders has changed. Enterprises want marketable solutions very fast because they know that in the next business cycle when business picks up again those companies that prepare now will be particularly successful.
Young at Heart
After difficult early years the Fraunhofer Society became the institution for the federal government and the Laender in the 70s. Initially, the society still had to struggle hard for a “raison d’être” because applied research was considered “unscientific” in those days. Only the restructuring associated with success-related funding and a clear business focus brought about the dramatic growth that has continued unabated until today. This research organisation has learnt to respond flexibly and adaptively to new challenges and to seize opportunities. “The Fraunhofer Society remains “young at heart” because it constantly reassesses its structures and feeds on the steady stream of young, motivated members of staff at universities and universities of applied science,” explains President Bullinger. In the meantime the number of institutes has risen to 57, the number of employees to 15,000 and the research order volume to EUR 1.4 billion (2008). Last year alone 1,400 new vacancies were filled.
Networking Globally
In the age of globalisation international experience is not only in demand for individuals but also, and especially so, for enterprises. The world is changing at warp speed and those intending to get a headstart in international competition must be where the innovations are developed. The Fraunhofer Society has long acted globally and maintains a global network. With research institutes in the USA, representative offices in Brussels, Moscow, Bejing, Dubai, Tokyo and Jakarta the Fraunhofer Society is present around the globe. This experience also benefits customers. And the growing globalisation pays off: the earnings generated by Fraunhofer abroad amounted to EUR 125 million in 2007, the major share (EUR 55 million) being accounted for by revenue from EU Commission projects. Add to this another EUR 43 million from business with European partners. In the USA a total of EUR 15 million were generated, in Asia EUR 10 million.
Fraunhofer has initiated several joint research and development projects with renowned European research institutes such as Cambridge University, for instance. Relations with the Carnot Institutes in France have been developed and Fraunhofer is also closely networking with top-notch research facilities in the USA, to name but a few. There are seven Fraunhofer Research Centres under the umbrella of Fraunhofer USA Inc.
The activities of the Fraunhofer Society in Europe include research commissions for both European industry customers and scientific cooperations. The collaboration with research partners ranges here from bilateral and EU research projects to long-term, strategic partnerships including even institutionalised local research cooperations. Since 2001 Fraunhofer has run its own offices in Brussels, since 2005 the Fraunhofer Representative Office Moscow has coordinated cooperation with local Russian partners.
Overcoming the Crisis
Overcoming the crisis with innovations – this motto is as true as it was 60 years ago. “Without creativity, stamina and confidence in your own abilities the reconstruction will not work either today,” Bullinger sums up.
back
More informations and functions
All articles from Business & Latest News
MULTIVAC is presenting a new machine concept The international German Packaging Award 2012 launches with a range of new categories and extensive services Dual leadership for OYSTAR One Solution for a Variety of Tubes and Products Broad spectrum of innovative packaging solutions PepsiCo Brazil chooses filling technology from SIG Combibloc Packaging innovations for the food sector News on the Pro Carton Congress: Packaging in a digital world Building extension completed - ergonomic and energy-efficient Automatic traysealers - Fit for all output requirements OYSTAR Hassia enjoying success in Turkey Packaging featured at the drupa 2012 SIG Combibloc wins the Gulfood Award with drinksplus OYSTAR: Double-digit growth in 2011 MULTIVAC at the European Seafood Exposition 2012 Joint campaign to fight food waste L´Oréal relying worldwide on OYSTAR IWK MULTIVAC Conveyor Systems now also available as a stand-alone version Pack fresh meat cost-effectively Awards Packaging Design With every sip: prebiotic extras for a healthy treat Filling and padding according to the ESD norm Laetus updates inspection systems for Astellas Gold medal for MULTIVAC's HPP technology OYSTAR strong in India OYSTAR demonstrates flexibility Bosch Packaging Technology to build second plant in China Innovation in technology and packaging concepts New FAO Director-General da Silva intends to halve the number of undernourished people by 2015 FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc. continues to rely on OYSTAR Increased outputs World’s first drives added-value to the production of corrugated board boxes IMHP technology from DuPont technology can decrease injection molding cycle time Product safety, longer shelf life and attractiveness at the POS A Fan of Cartons Recycler starts up new post-consumer film recycling line Hand sanitizer packaging designed with environment in mind Gerresheimer extends production of medical plastic systems in Bavaria MULTIVAC acquires Trimaster Oy A printer network instead of isolated applications Multicoloured PET bottles from GIZEH Greiner Packaging continues to enlarge its technological offer in the UK Two for One: Dairy Crest with new GIZEH cup combifit sets trends – new formats, many sizes Pizza Hut Costa Rica gets smart with pizza box High pressure treatment of packaged food FUSION bottle wins gold at The Cans of the Year awards Dissolvable fruitwash labels can clean food Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems to win UK Best Factory Awards 2011 VC999 TS500 Tray Sealing Machine The German Packaging Award 2011 OYSTAR Benhil delivers a record breaker to Milkon Südtirol Interactive printed electronic labels light up beverage bottles Lighter weight one-piece plastic-bottle closure Added value on the supermarket shelf Social Media: best practice at Krones AG German Packaging Award Quality in a square: the QR Code New Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice for cartons packaging food Modern small format printing UK to scrap food packaging sell-by dates Rexam announces construction of aluminum beverage can facility in Finland UK to scrap food packaging sell-by dates Measuring instruments with international certificates represent state-of-the-art technology Social media: A communications revolution causes a packaging evolution A refreshing concept for packaging material targets new user groups Inspection solutions for limited space issues on the Aspirin® packaging line etma Tube of the Year 2011: innovation on a broad front Rexam publishes new Consumer Packaging Report Lightweight PET single-serve wine bottle Heinz debuts retail version of Dip & Squeeze Ketchup packet Wolke m600 basic with new software Reusable bulk containers SCA Packaging Germany locations with FSC certifications Greiner Packaging enlarges its array of printing technology Packaging in a Digital World - International ProCarton Congress 2012 Efficient sealing of trays for applications without modified atmosphere PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL 2011 delivers record sales and visitors APS unveils new series of thermoplastic elastomers Messe Düsseldorf offers planning factors for success OYSTAR wins red dot award Almarai invests in integrated poultry processing and packaging Borealis and Borouge underline long-term commitment to healthcare Significantly enhanced functions for the Prinect print shop workflow BBC report blames consumers for food waste MULTIVAC helps its Japanese customers Heineken chooses APPE beer keg in PET Compostable clear bags retain food freshness DuPont honored for energy efficient improvements New range of closures saves on materials and costs Cortec Introduces Bioplastic Product DNP licensed to use carbon footprint mark for packaging materials for chilled beverages Tubular drag conveyors provide enclosed handling EU aluminium beverage can recycling rate hits 64% SporeClear™ Medical Device Disinfectants Position inspection of stoppers in vials – with new laser measurement sensors New packaging solution for sterile medical products and pharmaceutical applications Aluminum can recycling rate reaches 58.1% Backlit films for eco-solvent printers STO master moulding for premium whisky Sustainable corrugated plastic sheet Shrink labeler handles speeds of 600 bottles/min What do consumers want What do consumers want Coca-Cola India develops solar-powered coolers for rural areas Johnson & Johnson announces sustainability roadmap Two-compartment jar Solvay and Advantium to develop next generation green polyamides Enhanced weigh batcher speeds up tray presentation Packaged milk to outsell ‘loose’ milk in developing world by 2014 Reclosable packaging for shredded cheese Heidelberg offers comprehensive package for alcohol-free printing Hapa acquires Gottscho C.P.M. ContractPharma produces on Noack blister lines RPC Halstead & Llantrisant grow garden care success Eco-friendly paper void-fill system 165 Years of Underberg Great Outlook for Plastic Packaging VDMA: interpack 2011 Preview “LOHASians” are Changing the Asian Markets New EU Guidelines for Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals New EU Guidelines for Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals Great Britain Increases Recycling Goals China’s Pharmaceutical Market is Booming interpack goes Social Media: Its own groups on Xing, LinkedIn and Facebook interpack goes Social Media: Its own groups on Xing, LinkedIn and Facebook interpack goes Social Media: Its own groups on Xing, LinkedIn and Facebook Nestlé Professional: New packaging for a new concept The Changing Face of Confectionery Social Media: Opportunity or Risk? Mission Impossible? Indonesia’s Rising Consumer Scene Machinery made in China conquering the world Future Kids: The Responsible Consumers of Tomorrow Traffic Light Labelling in the EU refused Chocolate: From Luxury Item to Mass Product Crisis-proof: health in the Gulf Critical and strong buyers: LOHAS moves the markets Turbulent times in the worldwide paper industry Waste Paper Market under Global Pressure (Packaged) Milk makes the world go around Asia is Booming Health sells Nanotechnology: promoting opportunities, minimising risks New Logo for EU Organic Products Plastics industry cuts its way through the crisis Research without Borders Staying on Course in the Economic Crisis The Plastics Market in Europe: Review and Preview The Printing Ink Industry: a Sector Undergoing Change
Back to all from Business & Latest News
