About
The Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT), located in Pfinztal (Karlsruhe), is one of the leading research institutions within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe's largest application-oriented research organization. With a core mission to bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial application, Fraunhofer ICT pioneers innovations in chemical and process engineering, polymer technology, and applied electrochemistry. The institute possesses extensive, world-class infrastructure, including pilot plants and testing facilities, enabling the development and scaling of technologies from the laboratory level to industrial-scale production.
Specifically in the energy sector, ICT's Department of Applied Electrochemistry is a center of excellence for stationary energy storage with deep expertise in the development of redox flow batteries (RFBs). This includes extensive work on state-of-the-art Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs**)**, focusing on performance optimization, cost reduction of key components like membranes and electrodes, and overall system lifetime extension.
Looking towards a more sustainable future, Fraunhofer ICT is also at the forefront of pioneering next-generation RFB chemistries to address resource-criticality and cost. A key focus area is the development of the all-iron redox flow battery, tackling core challenges such as electrolyte stability and cell efficiency to unlock its potential as a low-cost, environmentally benign storage solution. This comprehensive "materials-to-system" R&D, spanning from advanced electrolyte formulation to the construction of pilot-scale system demonstrators, makes Fraunhofer ICT an ideal partner for advancing cutting-edge energy storage technologies.