New institute director at Fraunhofer IVV

In recent years at Fraunhofer IVV, the internationally renowned scientist established the Department of Sensory Analytics, launched the Product Performance business field, and took on the role of deputy director of the Institute. Concurrently, she built up an aroma research group at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and in 2017 was appointed Professor of the newly created Chair of Aroma and Smell Research.

According to Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, president of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: ‘There is an enormous need for innovation in the food and packaging industries and in the consumer goods sector. Fraunhofer IVV is taking on the challenge of developing advanced products and processes including quality assurance and quality monitoring. This work is being carried out in collaboration with partners from R&D organizations, industry, and relevant authorities. In particular, new concepts for networked analysis and monitoring systems are sought due to the challenges of a global marketplace. Prof. Büttner is the ideal person at Fraunhofer IVV to push through these urgently required developments involving analytics and diagnostics, process engineering, and digitization.’

Prof. Büttner said: ‘As director of Fraunhofer IVV, I am looking forward to decisively shaping our research and development activities. The key challenges of today are characterized by their complexity, the interdependency of product and production chains, and the need for systematic approaches to R&D. For example, it is paramount to tackle the complex topic of a circular economy for plastics in a holistic way, starting already at the materials' development stage and the packaging design phase. Due to economic and legislative constraints, alternative solutions for the packaging sector are especially urgent. The new German Packaging Act, for example, lays down a considerable increase in quotas for recycled materials. Here, our institute can assist in the development of combined, cost-effective systems and novel sorting and recycling strategies. A special challenge is also to implement in practice a holistic approach to product development with an even greater focus on consumers.’

Prof. Dr. Horst-Christian Langowski, who will now head the institute jointly with Prof. Büttner, is delighted with the new dual leadership. ‘With her renown in science and research, Prof. Büttner is the ideal person to lead the institute. Her multidisciplinary network will further enhance the transfer of R&D results to industry.’

Fraunhofer IVV is a leading research organization in the field of food, packaging, processing machinery, product performance, recycling and the environment.  Against the background of current global challenges associated with feeding the world's ever-growing population, protecting the environment, and conserving natural resources, the task of Fraunhofer IVV to transfer research into practical applications is becoming ever more important. The main activities of the institute are in the development of new, alternative raw materials and manufacturing and production processes to minimize the use of energy and resources. Another focus is safeguarding, analysis, and optimization of the sensory, techno-functional and biological-chemical qualities of products along the process chain, from raw materials to final products.