Circular Packaging Systems: A New Impuls-Lab Takes Shape in Dresden

The emerging competence cluster Impuls-Lab “Technologies & Systems” (CPTS) at the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering at TU Dresden has been in development for roughly two years and is taking on an increasingly concrete shape. As a key component, a W3 endowed professorship was announced in 2025; it will be established at the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) and is expected to commence work in 2027.

Ambition and Objectives of the CPTS

Within the CPTS framework, the “PTS – Institute for Fibres & Paper,” a research institute of the paper industry based in Heidenau near Dresden, cooperates with the “Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV” at its Dresden site, as well as with two chairs at TUD: “Processing Machines/Processing Technology” and “Wood Technology and Wood-Based Bioeconomy.”

The ambition and objective of the Impuls-Lab, is to think ahead and beyond together with industry – analysing and advancing packaging systems across their entire life cycle. With its broad, cross-cutting systems expertise, the cluster sees itself as well positioned to tackle this endeavour from the raw-material base through to recovery, and across materials ranging from paper and natural-fibre-based materials to plastics and composites.

The fact that the partner competencies within CPTS have a strong focus on both paper and plastics is not seen as an obstacle – quite the contrary. In the spirit of a holistic, systemic approach, the different starting positions that both packaging material groups bring to the current transformation are to be consciously leveraged. The primary focus here is on knowledge transfer, which is intended to lead to adaptable system approaches and new system solutions.

Example: PPWR and Machinery

This is a particularly compelling undertaking against the backdrop of the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The PPWR makes circularity cost-relevant and partially redefines the marketability of packaging through requirements, bans and quotas. In the area of packaging machinery, for instance, this may mean that automated solutions need to shift somewhat from being specialists to becoming generalists. Where machine compatibility with a focus on speed – and the associated cost advantages – was once a dominant factor, technology today must adapt to a broader spectrum of materials and material properties with greater variability in characteristics, accepting less favourable process windows. Loss minimisation and circularity are changing the cost structure, not least through regulatory influences, creating new challenges but also new opportunities and scope for innovation.

Dr Voß, what was the starting point for the endowed professorship?

The starting point was the question of which competencies already exist and which building blocks need to be added in a targeted way in order to address the field of ‘Circular Fibre-Based Packaging Systems’ holistically. The paper industry made a deliberate decision in favour of a smart, systematic combination of existing strengths. Rather than building new structures from scratch, existing competencies are being complemented in a targeted manner and intelligently networked. The endowed professorship closes an important gap and strengthens the holistic view of packaging systems along the entire value chain.

How does the CPTS define itself in this context?

With the Impuls-Lab Circular Packaging Technologies and Systems (CPTS), we address a broad spectrum of the packaging industry: from paper producers and paper converters to brand owners, all working together on sustainable and innovative solutions. Much like cross-industry initiatives that connect material manufacturers, producers and retailers, we aim to bring together the key players in our network to advance circular packaging.

The CPTS brings together the competencies of the Institute of Natural Materials Technology (chairs for Processing Machines/Processing Technology and Wood Technology and Wood-Based Bioeconomy) at the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering at TU Dresden, the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV), and PTS – Institute for Fibres & Paper gGmbH. Together, this creates an interdisciplinary research alliance for sustainable and circular packaging systems.

What is the role of PTS in the project?

PTS occupies a special role. As the industry research institute of the German paper sector, it combines scientific excellence with the practical requirements of industrial application. This is precisely the purpose for which the Research Foundation maintains and supports this structure. New findings reach companies quickly, while questions arising in industry can flow directly into research and development. This creates a continuous transfer between science and industry that is of central importance for the competitiveness of the sector.

What role does Dresden play as a location?

What is emerging in Dresden is a unique nucleus for circular fibre-based packaging systems. It covers the entire value chain – from raw materials and fibres through materials, packaging design, manufacturing and converting processes, all the way to use, recycling and circular recovery. At the same time, this nucleus is networked with further players in the bioeconomy, materials research and packaging technology, creating a high-performance innovation ecosystem.

No single technology is at the centre of this effort. The approach is deliberately open in terms of technology and systems, and free from ideology. The goal is to develop the best possible solutions for functional, economically viable and sustainable packaging systems. Packaging is considered holistically across its entire life cycle.

It is precisely this smart combination of university excellence, non-university research and direct industry connectivity that makes Dresden so attractive as a location. The endowed professorship complements existing competencies in a targeted way, strengthens collaboration between the partners and creates added value that goes well beyond the sum of its individual parts. This lays the groundwork for translating scientific findings more rapidly into marketable innovations and industrial applications.