At seven locations – including Bremen, Stade, Cuxhaven, and Heligoland – more than 700 employees work to develop innovative and application-oriented solutions for industry and society.
In the “Maritime Technologies” business unit, Fraunhofer IFAM pools its interdisciplinary expertise to support shipbuilding, port construction, and the offshore industry in meeting current and future challenges. The research work ranges from corrosion protection systems and functional coatings to adhesive bonding repair methods, energy storage systems, and electric drives for maritime applications.
Particular attention is paid to the reliability and sustainability of materials and processes under extreme offshore conditions. Extensive testing and inspection facilities are available for this purpose, such as the Test Center for Maritime Technologies on Heligoland and the Offshore Drone Campus Cuxhaven (ODCC), where long-term tests, fouling tests, and functional tests can be carried out.
Through the close integration of materials development, joining technology, surface functionalization, and automation, Fraunhofer IFAM offers a unique range of solutions – from the development of repairable structures to the qualification of new technologies for offshore use. In this way, the institute makes a decisive contribution to the future viability of the maritime industry and the sustainable use of offshore infrastructures.