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We do research on Biomass
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We do research on Resources
We do research on Mobility
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We do research on Nutrition
We do research on Industry & Products
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We do research on Energy

Welcome to ifeu

ifeu researches and advises on all important environmental and sustainability issues worldwide. With over 45 years of experience, it is one of the most important ecologically oriented research institutes in Germany. Our work is characterised by experience, independence, practical relevance and a goal-oriented approach. At present, ifeu has over 100 employees from the fields of natural sciences, engineering and social sciences at its sites in Heidelberg and Berlin.

ifeu News

02/19/2025

New packaging for sensitive food: biobased and recyclable

Consumers are familiar with transparent packaging with a protective atmosphere from the retail trade, mostly as packaging for meat, sausage and cheese products. These are now also used for vegetarian and vegan products. The advantage: the gas mixture contained inside provides a germ-inhibiting barrier so that food stays fresh and retains its shape and colour. However, their disadvantage is that they are only recyclable to a limited extent due to their multi-layer structure made of fossil raw materials. This means that they are lost to the material cycle after a single use. In packaging development, the aim is therefore to increasingly only bring recyclable packaging onto the market. Another development trend is towards plastic packaging with the highest possible bio-based content. However, bio-based packaging does not yet have a gas barrier that is sufficient for packaging sensitive food. Against this background, it is therefore necessary to develop a new type of packaging that is both virtually completely bio-based and recyclable.

02/12/2025

Heat summit in Baden-Württemberg: evaluation of the municipal heating plans of 126 municipalities in Baden-Württemberg published

From 2021 to 2023, urban districts, large district towns and municipalities in Baden-Württemberg drew up heating plans as part of a municipal heating planning process. These plans were scientifically evaluated by ifeu in 2024 together with KEA-BW. This evaluation has now been published as a study and provides interesting insights into the locally developed solution strategies for implementing the heating transition.

02/11/2025

Together for democracy, social justice and human rights – statement by the Ecological Research Network (Ecornet)

The rise of right-wing extremist forces and the misanthropic aspirations they represent pose a serious danger to democracy in Germany and a concrete threat to many people in our country. We therefore expressly emphasise: liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights are the central foundations of our society. They are also the essential prerequisite for independent, effective science, which is needed more than ever to develop solutions for the major social challenges of our time. Only through a multitude of ideas and innovative approaches, an open culture of debate and the cooperation of all social groups can the problems of today and tomorrow be adequately solved. We in the Ecological Research Network (Ecornet), the network of independent sustainability research institutes in Germany, want to contribute to these solutions together and in solidarity. With this in mind, we support the alliance ‘Hand in Hand - We are the firewall’ and the demonstration it has initiated, ‘Courageous. Human. Together.’ on 16 February 2025 at 2 p.m. in Berlin (Unter den Linden).

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Projects

Climate Balance of Caravanning

Do travelling with motorhomes and caravans have a smaller carbon footprint than other forms of travelling? The study compares the emissions from driving, vehicle and building manufacture, on-site…

Berlin waste as a resource

The present study is an extension of the Plan of measures for the implementation of an exemplary climate-friendly waste management in the Federal State of Berlin. The goals included the support of the…

Tool for Calculating Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in Solid Waste Management (SWM)

Developing and emerging countries may improve their greenhouse gas (GHG) balance significantly by establishing sustainable solid waste management systems. The “Tool for Calculating GHG emissions in…

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ifeu- Podcast

Scientists from ifeu talk to editors from the Berlin communications agency Ahnen&Enkel about current research topics. Only available in German.

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Carbon Calculator

Calculate your personal CO₂ footprint and optimise it for the future. ifeu has created the data basis for the UBA CarbonCalculator and is constantly developing it further.

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