The former Fraunhofer Research Institution for Casting, Composite and Processing Technology IGCV was transformed into a Fraunhofer Institute on January 1, 2020: Fraunhofer IGCV has thus proven that it has the sustainable maturity and characteristics to be a qualified carrier of research work for the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

The establishment of a Fraunhofer Research Institution is normally linked to the expectation that specific success criteria will be achieved in the foreseeable future. In addition to sustainable funding by the Fraunhofer model and significant economic returns, these include a strong scientific profile of their own and a permanent affiliation with a university. If the set goals are not achieved, the institution loses its status after a certain period of time, and the respective scientific units are reassigned to other Fraunhofer Institutes. However, once the set goals have been achieved and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has successfully evaluated the facility, it is converted into a Fraunhofer Institute.

With the status of an institute, Fraunhofer IGCV receives a permanent place in the Scientific and Technical Council of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Also, independent departments and working or project groups may be formed at the institute in the future. As an institute, Fraunhofer IGCV, with its nearly 160 employees, stands for application-oriented research focusing on efficient engineering, networked production, and intelligent multi-material solutions.