Sustainability and innovation go hand in hand — especially when it comes to developing materials that not only perform exceptionally but also contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions. A recent publication co-authored by Munich Business School professor Heiko Seif alongside Thomas Brück and Daniel Garbe (both Technical University of Munich), and Florian Melcher (Elysium Industries GmbH), introduces an exciting breakthrough in sustainable materials science.
Published in Orthopädie Technik, the research explores the development of algae-based carbon fiber composites — a high-performance material for prosthetics and orthotics. Traditionally, carbon fiber composites offer strength and lightweight properties, but their production is highly energy-intensive and linked to significant CO₂ emissions. This study, however, demonstrates how the “GreenCarbon” technology platform at the Technical University of Munich enables the creation of carbon fiber composites from algae oil. The result? A CO₂-storing material with equivalent mechanical properties to conventional, petroleum-based carbon fibers — paving the way for a more sustainable future in medical technology.
One major milestone of this research is the development of an ankle-foot orthosis, which successfully passed all functional tests. This marks a critical step toward integrating bio-based carbon fiber composites into the orthotics industry and, more broadly, into a circular bioeconomy.
Great to see our faculty contribute to cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research that aligns with our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and real-world impact.
- Brück, T., Garbe, D., Melcher, F., & Seif, H. (2025). Algen-basierte Carbonfaserkomposite – ein neuer CO₂-speichernder Werkstoff für die Orthopädietechnik. Orthopädie Technik, 76(2), 2-7.
