Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research
Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI

Building the future with renewable raw materials.
Since 1946.

Sustainability has been the central theme at the Fraunhofer WKI since its foundation in 1946. Founder and eponym Dr. Wilhelm Klauditz Dr. Wilhelm Klauditz sought solutions for the optimal exploitation of raw wood – a commodity which had become scarce as a result of the war - as well as for the technical utilization of waste wood and small-dimensioned wood. He is considered a pioneer of the modern wood-based materials industry. Today, the Fraunhofer WKI utilizes the entire spectrum of renewable raw resources in order to develop sustainable materials, components and chemical products. A particular focus is on the use of plant residues and waste materials.

About us

News

 

Press release / 2.10.2025

Bio-based adhesives for wood-based materials

Fraunhofer researchers are developing formaldehyde-free adhesives made from lignin and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) for the production of sustainable particle boards using regional wood residues. Bio-based adhesives are a key technology for the bonding of materials and the conservation of finite resources, and represent a promising growth market.

 

Press release / 1.10.2025

Making road resurfacing sustainable and cost-effective

A new monitoring system from Fraunhofer researchers and partners detects damage early on and continuously monitors the condition of the underlying asphalt layer, comprehensively and without causing any damage. The centerpiece of the new solution is a bio-based fabric of sensors inside the asphalt.

 

Press release / 7.8.2025

Environmentally-friendly intumescent flame-retardant solutions for wooden façades

In collaboration with project partner German Textile Research Center North-West (DTNW), researchers at the Fraunhofer WKI have developed an environmentally-friendly flame-retardant coating for wood surfaces which are exposed to the elements.

 

Press release / 1.7.2025

Compostable Single-Use Tableware

To protect the environment, especially the ocean, many single-use plastic products are banned in the EU. But single-use products made from unmodified natural polymers are allowed. With this in mind, researchers at the Fraunhofer WKI have teamed up with partners to develop compostable single-use tableware based on local agricultural residue from sugar production.

Events and Fairs

 

Conference

International Congress on Mycology

September 29 to October 5, 2025
Springe, Germany

 

Conference

European Adhesion Conference

October 1 to 3, 2025
Valencia, Spain

 

Conference

International Conference on Wood Adhesives

October 22 to 24, 2025
Vancouver, Canada

 

Workshop

HighTex with Fraunhofer

November 4, 2025
Münchberg, Germany

Locations

 

Headquarters Braunschweig

Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research
Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI

Riedenkamp 3
38108 Braunschweig

Phone +49 531 2155-0
Fax +49 531 2155-334

Email: info@wki.fraunhofer.de

 

Center for Light and Environmentally-Friendly Structures ZELUBA®

Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research
Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI

Beethovenstraße 51F
38106 Braunschweig

 

Application Center for Wood Fiber Research HOFZET®

Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research
Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI
Heisterbergallee 10A
30453 Hanover

Phone +49 511 353248 23

 

Fraunhofer Center Circular Economy for Mobility (CCEM)

c/o Open Hybrid LabFactory e.V.
Hermann-Münch-Str. 2
38440 Wolfsburg