Researchers from 15 Max Planck Institutes met in Berlin for the SusMax 2026 workshop to discuss sustainable materials and the challenges that arise from research to application.
The Max Planck Network on Sustainable Materials, SusMax, brings together researchers from all three sections of the Max Planck Society to work across different fields of chemistry, materials science and related disciplines. Since the network was established, it has grown from six Max Planck Institutes to 15. Today, 19 projects are part of SusMax across three calls for project proposals.
On September 8 and 9, researchers from the participating institutes met at Harnack House in Berlin for the SusMax 2026 workshop. The meeting offered an opportunity to present ongoing research, discuss approaches across disciplines and look at questions that arise when sustainable materials are developed for practical use.
“SusMax brings together expertise from different disciplines and institutes to create shared knowledge around sustainability. Workshops like this give our network the chance to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and explore the challenges that arise as research moves towards application, including the legal framework for sustainable products.” says Prof. Silvia Vignolini, Chair and Spokesperson of SusMax.
The scientific programme covered a wide range of research. Topics included the circular economy of carbon, sustainable electrosynthesis, recyclable materials, fuel production from atmospheric carbon dioxide, sustainable protein materials, lithium recycling and metal recovery. Other projects focused on sustainable photonic materials, filtration membranes and new approaches to battery materials.
The poster session gave participants additional time to discuss ongoing projects and exchange ideas. With researchers working on different materials and technologies, these conversations also provided opportunities to identify complementary expertise and possible collaborations.
Several contributions also addressed the path from research to application. A session on “From idea to company” brought together perspectives on entrepreneurship, sustainability assessment and the development of technologies for application.
The workshop concluded with a panel discussion. An invited talk on “Sustainable Products – Chances and Barriers from a Legal Perspective”, with Thomas Schomerus, Benjamin Steininger, Silvia Vignolini, and Eberhard Bodenschatz, explored how legal and regulatory frameworks influence sustainable innovation.
For SusMax, this exchange is an important part of the network’s work. Bringing researchers together creates space to discuss scientific questions from different perspectives and to consider the practical, economic and regulatory aspects of sustainable materials alongside the underlying research.
