Organizational and technological challenges in production form the focus of our research and development activities. We work closely with industrial companies in future-oriented sectors such as automotive, machinery and plant engineering, electronics and microsystems technology, energy industry, as well as medicine and biotechnology.

Fraunhofer IPA is divided into the working areas of production organization, surface technology, automation, and process technology, with a total of 14 departments. Its R&D projects aim to identify automation and rationalization reserves within companies to maintain and improve competitiveness and jobs through improved, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly production processes and products.

With around 280 scientists, Fraunhofer IPA is one of the largest individual institutes of the Fraunhofer Society. Its annual budget is approximately 44 million euros, of which 19.4 million euros come from industry projects. Fraunhofer IPA was founded in 1959 and joined the Fraunhofer Society in 1971.