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Companies that make an outstanding contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals can still apply until February 9, 2025.

Lithium is an important raw material for e-mobility. However, a large proportion of it comes from China, which is a cause for concern for German industry. There is also a high level of dependence on other raw materials.

Quality assurance in industrial punching processes is usually only carried out on a random sample basis. A new development from Fraunhofer IPM and Quittenbaum GmbH promises to change this.

In recent years, silicon photonics has made great strides. However, a key component has been missing until now. That has now changed.

By modifying metal-organic framework compounds, a research team has succeeded in creating water contact angles of more than 160°.

When recycled, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics lose a large part of their properties. This drastically reduces the possibilities for their use – so far.

The storage and transportation of hydrogen pose technical challenges. With this in mind, Fraunhofer researchers use ammonia, a hydrogen derivative that is easier to handle, as a starting material.  

On November 19, 2024, Refratechnik and Rath announced the launch of a long-term technology alliance. The goal of the partnership is close collaboration in the development and manufacture of refractory products for glass melting plants in the glass industry. 

Kyocera Fineceramics Europe has further developed its ceramic Starceram N3000 P and is launching a new silicon nitride for the functional testing of next-generation microchips. 

Together with an industrial partner, Empa researchers have found a solution for widespread skin diseases: Nanoceramic "stars" create tiny skin lesions and allow therapeutic molecules to reach their site of action. 

The new EL1nano is the smallest mixer in the company history of Eirich. With a usable volume of up to 100 ml, the machine can be used for many research and development tasks, particularly for high-end applications.  

Researchers are defying the rules of materials science – with molecules that release stored length to decouple stiffness and extensibility.

The average robot density in global industry will reach a record level in 2023. China has overtaken Germany and now ranks third worldwide, behind South Korea and Singapore.

A new approach to beam shaping is set to make additive manufacturing more flexible and efficient. The focus is on optimizing the processes of laser powder bed fusion.

A project of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing aims to standardize measurement methods for the examination of nanoparticle surfaces. This should improve their functionality.

A more environmentally friendly steel production requires a restructuring of processes. On behalf of the European Union, Fraunhofer IZFP and its partners are developing a platform for this purpose.

The black mass from battery recycling contains nickel, cobalt and lithium. Work is currently underway at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg to recover these raw materials as completely as possible.

The process achieves a 90 percent lithium recovery rate, which significantly exceeds the performance of conventional methods and shortens the extraction time from years to weeks.

Fraunhofer IWS is combining concepts from nature with sensor technology and 3-D printing to teach robots how to do things like pick fruit. The abilities of fish play a role.

The demand for service robots rose globally in 2023, particularly in the logistics, hospitality and agriculture sectors. More than three quarters of all sales were accounted for by one region.  

Cobalt-manganese catalysts are well suited for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis: the manganese component makes them highly active and stable over the long term – but exactly why was unclear until now. The mechanism has now been decoded.  

Lithium and sodium metal anodes are central to the development of all solid-state batteries. Now a way has been found to elucidate the microstructure of these alkali metals after deposition in batteries.

A roadmap is to be developed to improve the certainty of the National Hydrogen Strategy. It defines essential guidelines for the development and expansion of the technical framework – including in the field of mobility.

CookingRAK by RAK Ceramics is honoured with the "Red Dot: Best of the Best" in the Product Design category, the competition's highest recognition. Additionally, the induction system is awarded the "Red Dot" acknowledgment in the Product Design category.

The Ariane Group boosts output at the Umberto Ceramics factory in India with the purchase of a second Sacmi-Sama solution dedicated to the production of cups and saucers. The new solution is a NCC2 generation jiggering solution with high production capacity.

Kyocera Corporations “Fine Cordierite” ceramic mirror has been chosen for use in experimental equipment to conduct optical communication between the International Space Station (ISS) and a mobile optical station on Earth.

A 3D-printed ceramic subperiosteal jaw implant was successfully placed in a patient for the first time ever. This innovation is part of the EU-funded INKplant project made up of 19 interdisciplinary partners, led by Profactor GmbH.

Interoperability of IT systems is a success when software systems, data and applications can be networked efficiently and, in particular, securely. The use of open standards is crucial for this.

Nutec Bickley has completed its project in the European sanitaryware sector, having designed, manufactured, and installed a large shuttle kiln in a completely new factory. The recently commissioned plant should enable the customer to roughly double its annual capacity.

In the future, production systems should be able to make independent decisions and adapt to changing situations. The development of such factories can be achieved with systems engineering – which has so far been rarely used in the industry.

Better environmental protection and optimized products: Bioengineering could provide significant impetus for greater sustainability in the coming years – but only if a few hurdles are overcome. 

Chemical recycling breaks down long polymer chains into shorter-chained molecules that can then be used as fuel or lubricants. The mathematical formula developed by ETH Zurich gives research a new boost.

The global demand for lithium has skyrocketed in recent years - and so has the price. A method developed by researchers at Stanford University could bring the price down.

The zinc-air batteries developed at MIT are smaller than a grain of sand and are designed to enable tiny robots to recognize and react to their surroundings.

The growth of aluminum yttrium nitride has been a major challenge to date. Fraunhofer IAF has now found a way to significantly improve the production of the semiconductor material.

In the coming months, a project of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research will be testing elements of the future hydrogen transportation network for their practical suitability. The tests will take place at RWE in Lingen. 

Industrial production is in a constant state of change, more so than ever due to digitalization. Learning factories play a central role in the training and development of personnel, as well as in research.

China wants to better protect its rare earths. Beijing has therefore tightened controls on the use of the coveted raw materials. What do the rules stipulate? 

A new process enables aluminum alloys for 3D printing that are not only high-strength but also highly formable. Until now, it was either or.

Serbia is said to have one of the largest lithium reserves in Europe – now the government has given the green light for extraction. According to estimates, it could cover the annual lithium requirements of over 1 million electric cars.

Generative AI can give the manufacturing industry a productivity boost. However, non-European providers are moving into key positions in the value chain. Experts are calling for a "sovereign European response".

A research association wants to use waste from the timber industry to develop materials that can be used to produce and recycle sustainable batteries.

A European research group has taken an important step in the development of a material that could enable energy recovery directly on the chip.

A research team from Kaiserslautern is investigating ways of manufacturing carbide tools such as drills and milling cutters largely without cobalt and tungsten.

Ceramica Catalano is working together with Sacmi on the Sustainable Packaging Project. During the recent supply of new automatic glazing and finishing lines made by Gaiotto, as well as an AVB Casting cell, Ceramica Catalano became one of the first Sacmi customers to try out this new method of packaging management.

Himed and Lithoz have announced the joint launch of a new Bioceramics Center of Excellence (BCoE) at Himed’s New York headquarters. The BCoE will offer a holistic approach to R&D with bioceramics for medical device manufacturers.

Like many other industrial sectors that use high-temperature processes, the brick industry faces major challenges when it comes to energy and environmental issues: Among other things, energy must be saved and the CO₂ footprint reduced. The optimal refractory lining for high-temperature furnaces is a key factor in this respect.

Together with chemical company Covestro Deutschland AG, Fraunhofer researchers have now developed a method that makes it possible to reclaim the substances originally used to make the polycarbonates. In catalytic pyrolysis, a controlled process of heating in an oxygen-free environment, plastic waste breaks down into its components.

Kyocera Fineceramics Europe GmbH (KFEG), a subsidiary of Kyocera Europe GmbH, announced that it has received a Supplier Excellence Award from EV Group (EVG), a leading supplier of wafer bonding and lithography equipment for the MEMS, nanotechnology, and semiconductor markets.

Trumpf has developed efficient laser processes for recycling electric car batteries. This should make it possible to recycle batteries on an industrial scale.

Together with partners from industry, a research team has developed a method for integrating AI into maintenance. The result: fewer rejects and machine downtimes.

A group of European countries wants to promote lightweight construction. The network has formulated its strategic direction and common goals in a position paper.

Polyelectrolyte membranes have a significant influence on the durability of fuel cells and electrolyzers. A Fraunhofer LBF research project aims to provide manufacturers with important findings.

China dominates the silicon market and is continuing to expand its capacities. Global production capacity is likely to far exceed demand for the raw material for solar cells and semiconductors by 2027.

Factory systems should produce autonomously in the future and provide the best possible support for people. The Industry 4.0 Research Advisory Board has outlined how this can be achieved in the coming decade in an engineering roadmap.

By 2030, highly flexible humanoid robots that are superior to humans in terms of fine motor skills will be ready for series production. This is the result of a Horváth study, which also sees the potential for leapfrog innovations.

Just-in-time, Jidoka, Kaizen: the Japanese quality philosophy is reflected in the Toyota production system. You can read everything you need to know about the holistic production system in our dossier. 

The microstructure, porosity and surface of additively manufactured parts differ significantly from conventionally processed metals. This raises questions regarding the corrosion resistance of the parts.

Do we need the term Industry 5.0? Is it perhaps even misleading and could jeopardize companies and cooperations in the implementation of Industry 4.0? Two associations think so.

In local 5G networks, up to 1 million devices will be able to communicate reliably and with low latency. Interest in setting up local campus networks is growing in the mechanical engineering sector. An updated guide provides orientation.

According to a study, the implementation of artificial intelligence and other digital tools in mechanical engineering often does not yet follow a concerted strategy. If you want to increase your productivity, you should change that. 

According to a Bitkom survey, only a few companies are actively involved in the Manufacturing-X data room. However, almost one in three companies could imagine participating.

Lithium iron phosphate cells have long led a shadowy existence in the automotive sector. However, a rethink is currently taking place. Why this is the case and why LFP cells are becoming more and more established. 

The production of sustainable fuels from solar energy is an ambitious project and poses great challenges for people and materials. HTL materials are used in a special project.

MLC Ceramic Machinery, based just north of Alcobaça in the Oeste region of Portugal, reports continuing healthy demand for its range of ceramic production machinery.

At the Ceramitec trade fair, Eirich, an expert in mixing and processing technology, will be presenting a wide range of solutions relating to energy efficiency and sustainability for the ceramics industry.

Numerous battery factories are to be built worldwide - which in turn need to be equipped with production technology. An opportunity worth billions if Europe's mechanical engineering companies make the right use of it. 

In Duisburg, thyssenkrupp has started to build a large plant for more climate-friendly steel production. Prior to this, several processes are to be researched in a smaller pilot plant.

The robot cell developed by Fraunhofer IPA and Campus Schwarzwald inserts fuel cells in a matter of seconds and fully automatically. The aim is to reduce the price of fuel cell systems. 

The potential for augmented reality in mechanical engineering is high. Nevertheless, many companies decide against using it. The Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences has investigated why this is the case.

Which recycling process is more sustainable? How does recycled material compare to new plastic? Reliable answers are often difficult to find. Fraunhofer researchers show what is important.

The particularly efficient perovskite solar cells are usually produced in the laboratory using solvent-based processes. However, the solar industry relies on vacuum processes - and according to a study, these are competitive.

Graphene has properties like no other material - and great economic potential. How will the global market and fields of application develop over the next few years? An overview.

In addition to the use of AI, digital twins and cobots, mobile manipulators and humanoid robots are increasingly shaping developments. This is the assessment of the International Federation of Robotics.

Biotechnologically produced materials could replace fossil-based plastics, enable new materials and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. But the framework conditions are not yet right.

BAM and TU Delft are developing and testing new materials for thermomagnetic generators. They are intended to convert waste heat from data centers, the food industry or the paper industry into electricity.

The EU is launching the Net-zero Industry Act. The goal: 40% of the EU's demand for technologies such as photovoltaics, wind turbines, batteries and heat pumps should come from European production by 2030.

Two Swedish companies have developed wooden towers for wind turbines. The connection of the wooden elements to the steel foundation and the nacelle is crucial for the stability of the tower.

In 2023, steel production in Germany has fallen to its lowest volume since 2009. Weak demand, high electricity prices and the uncertain financing of the transformation are weighing on the industry.

Automotive engineering or aerospace need reliable and resistant materials. Quantum magnetometers can be used to detect the smallest damage before the materials show any recognizable cracks.

Cost reduction, quality improvement and more sustainable production are key objectives in battery machine construction. In order to achieve these, technological breakthroughs are required in various areas.

With a practical cold joining process, high-strength steel bonded joints can be separated while preserving the material. This is particularly interesting for the repair of multi-material car bodies.

New battery material discovered by AI could reduce the amount of lithium in rechargeable batteries. A prototype of such a new type of battery has already been developed.

The production of chips requires large amounts of energy and water as well as the use of climate-damaging gases. According to Deloitte, however, resource intensity is decreasing – and there are still efficiency reserves.

Weak economy, decline in production, bureaucracy - VDMA President Karl Haeusgen explains what is weighing on the engineering industry at the turn of the year and what opportunities for growth are nevertheless available.

A process developed by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the SMS Group saves up to 12% of specific emissions per ton of steel in existing blast furnaces. The retrofitting costs are said to be moderate.

Industry 4.0 technologies unfold their full effect when they are implemented early and comprehensively in entire production networks. However, companies repeatedly come up against obstacles here.

An initiative of researchers and industrial partners is working on the further development of battery production. The process from battery cell development to mass production is to be accelerated.

The Nutec Group has announced the appointment of Marc Carter to the position of Vice President North America, Fibers Division this October. He has joined Nutec from John Cockerill, where he was Head of Sales for the Americas.

The treatment of bone tumors or severe bone injuries often poses major problems for medicine.  Scientists at the University of Rostock are working on using 3D printing technology to treat large bone defects.

During root canal treatment, dentists need to insert a file deep into the root canal to remove the inflamed tissue. Researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS have developed a piezoceramic stack actuator that allows procedures to be performed more quickly.

Researchers of KIT and of two Helmholtz platforms have succeeded in finding a way to predict the quality of the perovskite layers. It is now possible assess their quality from variations in light emission already in the manufacturing process.

With increasing digitalization, energy efficiency in production is increasing. But does this also reduce overall energy consumption in industry? Current studies see no clear correlation here.

BMW starts production of battery cell samples in Parsdorf. The new round cells are to be used in the Neue Klasse models from 2025.

The future of robotics lies in autonomous systems that cooperate closely with humans in changing environments. With the Robotics Action Plan, the BMBF wants to make Germany internationally competitive.

Robot Valley sees the beginning of a new era in human-robot collaboration in 2024. It will be supported by AI and cloud computing. Robotics start-ups are also becoming increasingly more interesting for providers of venture capital.

The concept developed in the DC-Industrie2 project paves the way for a standardized DC factory. It is manufacturer-independent and is designed to help save energy and resources in production.

Augmented and virtual reality offer numerous new applications in training, collaboration, construction, maintenance and presentation. A guide from the digital association Bitkom helps to identify use cases.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES completed the BladeFactory project in October, an important occasion to look back on the results together with project partners and guests from the wind energy industry and research.

Cobalt is a controversial raw material. There are both technical and ethical reasons for this. Researchers are therefore looking for alternatives for the cathode material.