As part of the LaNDER³ partnership (Lausitz Natural Fibre Composites: Decentralised Energy, Raw Materials, Resources, Recycling), scientists at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) are working together with local partner companies on solutions for the resource-efficient and competitive processing and recycling of natural fibre-reinforced plastics. The project partners hope to develop efficient technologies and open up new areas of application for these sustainable and lightweight materials.

For better networking and cooperation, the LaNDER³ partners have initiated the construction of a jointly used laboratory hall, supported by additional funds from the Free State of Saxony. This partnership laboratory will house personnel and technology from the various projects of the partnership. The interdisciplinary research technical centre at the HSZG is operated as a shared factory: in addition to developments and equipment from the projects, the joint laboratory will also house some machines from industrial partners. One of these, for example, is a sorting machine by project partner RTT Steinert GmbH which can be used on-site for investigations into the recycling of fibre-reinforced plastics.

The LaNDER³ hall thus brings together excellent application-oriented research and economic interests in one place. The entire process chain of natural fibre-reinforced plastics can be mapped and holistically researched in a very small space: starting with fibre extraction, fibre preparation and functionalisation, through the energy-efficient production of components to recycling and reuse.

The joint research hall was built in only one and a half years and is visible proof of the far-reaching and long-term impact of the strategic partnerships that are created within the framework of FH-Impuls.