Fraunhofer UMSICHT Institute Branch Sulzbach-Rosenberg
Fraunhofer UMSICHT Institute Branch Sulzbach-Rosenberg

Technology Assessment

Evidence-based evaluation of emerging process technologies

Fraunhofer UMSICHT supports decision makers with scientifically validated assessment on the technical, economic and environmental performance of novel processes and products. Our core expertise lies in environmental process technologies such as Recycling, CCU/CCS and Power-to-X (PtX).

Depending on your requirements, we offer everything from a rapid technology scan and market review to a full techno-economic assessment (TEA) with an integrated life-cycle assessment (LCA) of specific technologies.

Technology Focus

All technology assessments are backed up by our own R&D, pilot plants and demonstration facilities. Current topics include:

Typical Clients

Over the past five years we have completed more than 30 technology-assessment and market-study projects for customers in these segments:

  • Plant operators and manufacturers
  • Fuel and Chemicals Producers and Alternative Feedstock Off-takers (e.g. refineries, petrochemical industry, chemical industry) 
  • Feedstock owners (agriculture, waste management) 
  • Consultancies
  • Institutional and private investors 
  • Public authorities  

Why Fraunhofer UMSICHT

Fraunhofer UMSICHT is a non-profit research institute with no stake in equipment sales. We offer a scientific, independent perspective on technological developments.

  • Alignment and plausibility checks against our own experimental databases covering laboratory, pilot and demonstration plants (pyrolysis reactors, gasification systems, hydrotreatment + cat test stands)
  • Established contacts with technology providers, component manufacturers and operators for plausibility audits and benchmarking
  • Cross‑disciplinary scientific project teams (chemical and process engineers, LCA specialists, economists, patent analysts)
  • Process / scalability valididation by in‑house plant operation team
  • Independent technical validation by our engineering and manufacturing teams

Approach and Methodology

A typical project starts with technology scouting and market screening, followed by TRL verification and feasibility checks. Regulatory fit, intellectual-property status and market size are assessed before all options are compared in a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to support investment, R&D portfolio management or site transformation decisions. 

Techno-Economic Assessment

For individual technologies we provide detailed Techno-Economic Assessment including CAPEX/OPEX, levelised cost metrics, sensitivity and scenario analysis and a full sustainability assessment.

Modules can be combined as required. Standard deliverables include a technical report with documented assumptions and data sources, executive summary, cost model (spreadsheet), LCA dossier, patent report and roadmap diagram. Raw experimental data and model templates can be supplied under agreed terms.

Module  Outcome and Deliverables 
Technology Scouting     Technology identification, pre-selection, continuous monitoring
TRL Verification  TRL (1–9) assignment, gap analysis, test plan
Technical Assessment / Due Diligence  Mass & energy balances, process design review, scale-up risks    
Policy Framework Analysis    Regulatory compliance assessment 
Market Analysis Addressable market, price indices, feedstock supply scenarios
Patent & IP Review   Patent landscape, FTO risks
Techno-Economic Assessment  CAPEX/OPEX, ROI, levelised cost, business-model development          
Life-Cycle Assessment         Prospective LCA, GHG emissions, product carbon footprint     
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Ranked options across technical, economic and sustainability criteria 
Technology Roadmap / Transformation Plan Milestones, investment needs, decision gates