Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology

Learn more

News

A Black-White Portrait of Professor Werner A. Hufenbach.

Oct 13, 2026

In Memoriam: Professor Werner A. Hufenbach

Five men in suits are standing in a row, smiling at the camera. In the middle is Dr.-Ing. Daniel Köhler, wearing his doctoral cap and holding a bouquet of flowers.

Oct 12, 2026

The ILK congratulates Dr.-Ing. Daniel Köhler on successfully completing his doctoral degree

Sep 30, 2026

Dr.-Ing. Moritz Neubauer Successfully Defends His Dissertation with the Distinction "magna cum laude"

Termine

Oct 26 2026

Beyond Visible Damage: Numerical and AI-Based Assessment of Impact-Damaged Composite Structures

Topic overview

Luftbildaufnahme von Mitarbeitern des ILK, die die Buchstaben I, L und K bilden.

At a glance

The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology has been active in “function-integrative system lightweight engineering in multi-material design” for more than 20 years. The research spectrum ranges from fundamental and application-oriented research to a concrete innovation development for industry partners.

A man wearing protective gloves explains a component he is holding to a group of students in a technical laboratory environment. The students stand in a semicircle around him, with a robotic arm positioned nearby.

Study Lightweight Engineering

Lightweight engineering is one of the key technologies for a resource-efficient and sustainable future. It combines materials, design, manufacturing, and simulation into an interdisciplinary engineering field with a wide range of applications. TU Dresden is the only university in Germany to offer a dedicated specialization in lightweight engineering, providing an excellent foundation for diverse career opportunities in industry and research.

A man looks into an illuminated testing facility and examines its interior.

Research areas

The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) pursues a material and product spanning approach to systems lightweight engineering. By combining interdisciplinary expertise with a comprehensive research infrastructure, ILK develops holistic lightweight solutions for a resource-efficient and circular future.

Bürogebäude des Instituts für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik

Cross-material and Cross-technology Lightweight Engineering – sustainable.resilient.competitive.

The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden develops material and technology open lightweight solutions for a resource-efficient and sustainable future. Around 245 employees combine interdisciplinary research, advanced infrastructure, and industrial applications across the entire development chain.
The foundation of this work is the Dresden model of function-integrated systems lightweight design in multi-material design. Different materials and technologies are strategically combined to develop high-performance, sustainable, and circular solutions.