Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM

Welcome to Fraunhofer ITWM!

We are one of the world's largest mathematical research institutes and our goal is to further develop mathematics as a key technology, give innovative impetus and implement it in practice together with industry partners. Methodologically, our research areas are based on modeling, simulation and optimization. Integral parts of our projects are consulting and implementation, support in the application of high-performance computer technology and providing tailor-made software solutions. We not only use simulation software, but also develop it ourselves, often in cooperation with leading software companies.
Nowadays, companies of all sizes use simulations on regular bases which gives them benefit in terms of product innovation and quality assurance. Our customers are mainly in the automotive, mechanical engineering, textile, computer industry and finance sectors.

News

 

New Project / 24.04.2026

Make Retirement More Flexible

The focus is increasingly shifting to the payout phase of retirement planning. Our experts in the »Retirement Provision and Life Insurance« practice area are examining pension models – from lump-sum payments to flexible options. Using model calculations and simulations, they highlight opportunities, risks, and implications, and develop approaches to ensure more transparent advice, greater clarity, and better consumer protection.

 

Press Release / 08.04.2026

Virtual Textile Processes: Fraunhofer ITWM at Techtextil 2026

At Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main, starting April 21, 2026, Fraunhofer ITWM will demonstrate how its software solutions support the textile industry with powerful simulation capabilities. The goal is to shorten development times, optimize material usage, and reliably predict the behavior of textile structures virtually. 

 

Review and Portraits / 26.03.2026

»THREAD«: More Than a Research Project

As Fraunhofer ITWM, we were a key partner in the European doctoral network »THREAD«, in which doctoral students from eight countries conducted research on models for highly flexible structures.

In five profiles, early-career researchers who now work at our institute or at the ITWM spin-off fleXstructures GmbH share how »THREAD« shaped their careers.

 

Press Release / 24.03.2026

Simulation Tool for Sustainable Plastic Surfaces

Together with Fraunhofer IMWS, we are developing a simulation tool that makes the development of functionalized, recyclable components faster, more cost-effective, and more resource-efficient. In doing so, we are contributing our expertise in cross-scale simulation software.

 

Press Release / 23.03.2026

New Spin-Off: VTT – Virtual Tire Technologies

Research gives way to a new company: With the launch of »VTT – Virtual Tire Technologies GmbH«, our institute has established another spin-off company that will market and further develop the internationally sought-after tire modeling software »CDTire« worldwide.

 

Short News / 20.03.2026

Who Is Advancing to the Final?

The Mathematics Olympiad is a four-stage competition for exceptionally gifted students: after the school, regional, and state rounds in Rhineland-Palatinate, the top participants were honored as finalists at a ceremony at the Fraunhofer ITWM in Kaiserslautern. Intensive preparation in the Math Camp supported them along the way – now the best will compete in the federal final in Hamburg.

 

News/ 13.03.2026

New Mathematics for Retirement Planning

The reform of pension provision is also placing greater focus on research. Our experts in the department »Financial Mathematics« develop models and simulations for more transparent pension products and better consumer protection. Their work includes capital market simulations, models for assessing opportunities and risks, and new approaches to pension provision for the future.

 

Press Release/ 04.03.2026

Agentic Artificial Intelligence Accelerates Embedded Development

At the Embedded World Exhibition and Conference in Nuremberg, we are presenting a system together with RPTU that fundamentally accelerates the development of embedded AI applications: »Neural Architecture Search Engine (NASE)« with Hardware in the Loop.

Upcoming Events

 

Berlin / Conference / 28.04. – 30.04.2026

Annual Conference DAV and DGVFM 2026

The annual conference provides a platform for professional exchange on current topics and developments in insurance and financial mathematics.

Our experts from the department »Financial Mathematics« are on site with an exhibit addressing current issues in actuarial risk management and a presentation on intergenerational equity.

 

Berlin / Conference / 04.05.2026 – 05.05.2026

DIIR Anti-Fraud Management Conference 2026

The DIIR Anti-Fraud Management Conference 2026 offers two days of concise insights into the latest developments in fraud prevention, detection, and combating. 

Our experts Dr. Ria Grindel and Yannick Becker from department »Financial Mathematics« give a presentation on-site about the use of artificial intelligence to increase audit efficiency.

 

Bamberg / Conference / 05.05. – 07.05.2026

NAFEMS DACH 2026

The NAFEMS DACH Conference 2026 offers comprehensive information and networking opportunities in the field of computational simulation methods (CAE).

Our experts will be on site with three presentations on the topics of »GPU-Accelerated Mesh-Free Gas Dynamic Simulations«, »CAE Success Stories From Fraunhofer ITWM« and »A Hybrid Parallel PGAS Approach to Linear Solvers«. We will also be presenting our software tool »MESHFREE«.

 

Blick über den Tellerrand / Hybrid Talk / 07.05.2026

How Our Brain Ages – and What We Can Do About It

While the aging of our brains follows fundamental mechanisms, the process varies greatly from person to person. In her lecture, Prof. Dr. Dr. Svenja Caspers discusses key factors influencing brain aging and new preventive approaches to maintaining brain health. [The lecture will be given in German.]

 

Trento, Italy / Conference / 29.08.2026 – 02.09.2026

PPSN 2026

As part of the PPSN Conference, the workshop »Quantum versus Classical Optimization: Synergies and Boundaries« takes place, which promotes the exchange of ideas on quantum-based and classical optimization approaches.

Dr. Pascal Halffmann is a co-organizer of the workshop and contributes his expertise to the discussions.

Abstracts due by May 18, 2026

 

Mainz / Conference / 18.05.2026 – 21.05.2026

Advanced Automotive Battery Conference Europe

AABC Europe 2026 brings together experts in battery technology and their suppliers. The event offers insights into development trends, technologies, and market forecasts. Our expert from the »Flow Processes« department is on-site to deliver a presentation titled »Improving Cell Properties and Production Processes through Physics-Based Computer Simulations.«

 

Hanau / Conference / 19.05. – 20.05.2026

Automotive CAE Grand Challenge

At the Automotive CAE Grand Challenge conference, experts present solutions to challenges in virtual vehicle development.

Our »Material Simulation« department is on site, and our expert Dr. Hannes Grimm-Strele presents our new solution for simulating Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC), which we use to precisely model the production of fiber-reinforced plastics.

 

Geneva / Fair / 19.05. – 22.05.2026

INDEX 2026

 

»INDEX« is a trade fair for nonwoven fabrics. Our experts are on-site with their exhibition stand, providing information on topics related to spinning as well as various production processes. In addition, Dr. Maxime Krier gives a lecture on the topic »Enhancing Nonwoven Product Development Through Digital Twins«.

 

Stuttgart / Fair / 20.05. – 21.05.2026

Control Expert Days 2026

At the Control Expert Days, experts will present developments in industrial quality assurance. The event, featuring an exhibition and expert presentations, complements the leading international trade fair Control. Our »Image Processing and Inspection Systems« department will be present at the Fraunhofer Vision joint stand, and Dr. Henrike Stephani will give a presentation on AI in quality control.

 

Kaiserslautern / Conference / 21.05.2026

»Innovations from Kaiserslautern«

Our division »Analytics and Computing« provides insights into the latest developments in our research and their practical applications in the fields of AI, simulation, and strategic modeling.

The program features expert presentations and discussions, as well as opportunities for professional exchange with our experts.

 

Florence, Italy / Conference / 27.05. – 29.05.2026

EMMC20

The European Mechanics of Materials Conference (EMMC) is an international conference on materials mechanics that brings together researchers from various fields to discuss current developments and research findings.

Our experts, Dr. Martiva Stavole and Quirin Hoesch, from the division »Mathematics for Vehicles, Systems and Production« are each giving a lecture with a focus on »Cables, Hoses, and Flexible Structures«.

 

Stuttgart / Fair / 09.06.2026 – 11.06.2026

Battery Show 2026

The Battery Show is a trade fair with an conference on battery technologies and electrification, which serves as a platform for discussing current innovations and challenges in the industry.

Dr. Jochen Zausch and Dr. Joachim Jonuscheit are represented with two exhibits. They present the topics »Digital Simulation Tools for Production and Design of Battery Cell« and our »Inline Thickness Measurement System for Anode and Cathode Foils«.

 

Kaiserslautern / Conference / 10.06.2026 – 11.06.2026

Commercial Vehicle Technology Symposium Kaiserslautern 2026

The conference on trends and developments in the commercial vehicle industry is taking place at the Fraunhofer ITWM. It includes specialist lectures and poster presentations and is accompanied by a trade exhibition.

Registration is required. 

 

Kaiserslautern / Information Session / 13.06.2026

Day of Mathematics 2026

We have an information booth at Mathematics Day at RPTU Kaiserslautern, where we provide information about career opportunities and daily work life at Fraunhofer ITWM. In addition, our experts present four lectures under the theme »People Make Math – 30 Years of Applied Mathematics at Fraunhofer ITWM.«

Registration deadline: May 25, 2026

 

Kaiserslautern / Academic Colloquium in Honour of the Retirement of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Hasse / 25.09.2026

»The Future of Thermodynamics«

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Hasse, who heads the Chair of Thermodynamics at the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, is retiring. To mark the occasion, a special academic colloquium will be held, focusing on the current challenges and future prospects of the discipline.

Registration deadline: May 8, 2026

 

Regular Seminars

Seminars of the Division »Mathematics for Vehicle Engineering«

In 2026, further training seminars of the division »Mathematics for Vehicle Engineering« will take place again!

We will keep you up to date here:

Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM

Fraunhofer-Platz 1

67663 Kaiserslautern

Deutschland

Phone +49 631 31600-0

Fax +49 631 31600-1099

 

Latest News at the Institute