Green transformation: INZIN presentation at the German-Chinese Business Day (DCWT)
News 2024
INZIN at the German-Chinese Business Day (DCWT) 2024


© DCW
The INZIN Institute was represented at the German-Chinese Business Day (DCWT) at the IHK in Düsseldorf on 3 December with a presentation and its own exhibitor stand. The event provided a valuable platform for dialogue between German and Chinese companies as well as experts from business and science.
A particular highlight was the lively panel discussion in the afternoon, in which Dr. Ulrich Teich and Dr. Lukas Gast participated together with other experts. The discussion focused on the topic of “Sustainable Management in Business Practice”. Dr. Teich highlighted key issues in Corporate Sustainability Reporting and current developments in the field of green tech and environmental technologies in Germany. The discussion provided in-depth insights and practical impulses for companies dealing with the sustainable transformation.
The German-Chinese Business Day (DCWT) is the main annual event of the German-Chinese Business Association. The focus of this year’s DCWT – sustainability and green transformation – is highly relevant for both German and Chinese companies. The event provided an excellent networking opportunity and promoted bilateral dialogue on innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
We would like to thank all participants for the valuable discussions and look forward to the next DCWT!
Discover the KNUW Green Economy Paper on critical raw materials!
News 2024
SUMMIT Umweltwirtschaft.NRW | 7 Nov.2024

©KNUW
In a world that is increasingly focussing on sustainable practices, critical raw materials are central to the transition to a green economy. The current KNUW Green Economy Paper highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with the extraction and utilisation of these valuable resources.
In this comprehensive document you will find:
- Analyses of raw material deposits and markets: Find out which raw materials are considered critical and why they are essential for the energy transition.
- Sustainability strategies: Learn how companies and governments can take action to ensure a sustainable supply of raw materials.
- Future prospects: Gain insights into innovative approaches and technologies that promote efficiency and environmental friendliness in the raw materials industry.
Download the full paper and find out about the most important aspects of sustainable raw material utilisation. Visit KNUW Green Economy Paper and keep your finger on the pulse of the green economy!
Critical raw materials and vulnerability of the NRW economy
News 2024
SUMMIT Umweltwirtschaft.NRW | 7 Nov.2024

Importance of the criticality of specific raw materials for NRW companies
Reducing dependencies: Critical raw materials and their importance for the green economy of the future
The implementation of the Green Deal depends heavily on raw materials. But what resources are actually required for this, where do they come from, how stable are their supply chains and what recycling options already exist? What does this mean for stakeholders in NRW and how can recycling capacity be increased (to 25 percent) in order to make the availability of raw materials more resilient? We want to discuss this with…
- Entrepreneurs from the manufacturing industry
- Representatives of the recycling industry
- the Circular Economy Round Table
to the programme: SUMMIT Umweltwirtschaft.NRW
Pathways to a circular economy in the electronics industry in NRW
News 2024
Circular economy in the electronics industry

Circular B2B electronics exchange platform - Findings
The electronics industry plays a key role in the transition to a comprehensive circular economy. New regulatory frameworks and strategies at European level, such as the Critical Raw Materials Act, and at national level, such as the draft National Circular Economy Strategy, are influencing and supporting the transformation of the electronics sector towards a circular economy. In addition to general strategies and measures, there are also specific targets for reducing the environmental impact of production and use along the product value chain, for example through better product design and more efficient recycling.
In order to shape the transformation and establish material cycles, relevant stakeholder groups from business, science and politics in North Rhine-Westphalia are working together in the Circular B2B Electronics exchange platform.
This article summarises the stakeholder perspectives, obstacles and opportunities for the circular economy.
Read the article: Pathways to a circular economy in the electronics industry in NRW
Environmental Economy Award of North Rhine-Westphalia 2024
News 2024
Environmental Economy Award.NRW 2024.NRW 2024 verliehen


© Susanne Schmidt-Dominé
The winners have been announced!
On 16 September, 2024, the Environmental Economy Award was presented for the third time. The award recognizes companies that combine environmental and climate protection with economic success in an impressive way. In 2024 companies in the green economy in North Rhine-Westphalia once again had the chance to win a total of €60,000 in prize money. Here you can find out which companies impressed the jury with their innovative business models in 2024.
First place and €30,000 in prize money went to ClayTec GmbH & Co. KG from Viersen.
ClayTec has been producing building materials such as mortar and drywall panels from clay for 40 years: a raw material that is available in large quantities in Germany and is a suitable substitute for less environmentally friendly materials such as gypsum and limestone.
Voltfang GmbH from Aachen was delighted to be awarded second place and €20,000 in prize money.
The innovative Aachen-based company Voltfang has developed a battery storage system from second-life batteries that helps small and medium-sized companies and industry to reduce their ecological footprint and save costs.
HDB Recycling GmbH from Hünxe came third in the Environmental Business Award.NRW 2024, which is awarded with €10,000.
Where to put mixed mineral waste? HDB Recycling GmbH from Hünxe has come up with an innovative solution. With its wet processing plant for recycled aggregates in North Rhine Westphalia, the company processes mineral waste into high-quality secondary construction materials for building construction and civil engineering.
The Environmental Business Award is intended for innovative companies in the green economy that contribute to the further expansion of North Rhine-Westphalia’s pioneering role in the environmental economy.
Further information on the Environmental Economy Award.NRW
Environmental Economy Award.NRW 2024
10th Doctoral Seminar
News 2024



From the 24th to the 25th July 2024, the 10th doctoral seminar with Prof. Dr Martin Faulstich’s doctoral students took place on the premises of Gertec GmbH & Co. KG in Essen. A total of 11 doctoral students and our Circular Economy team leader Dr. Lukas Gast took part in the seminar.
The seminar started with an official welcome and a round of introductions, during which all participants were able to get to know each other. This introductory phase created a pleasant atmosphere and laid the foundation for a lively exchange and subsequent collaboration.
The first presentation by Andreas Hübner was entitled “How a research project might change my doctorate”. This was followed by a brief input from Ms. Esther Lutz from Gertec GmbH Co. KG, who presented a project idea on the topic of “Monitoring area planning tool (urban) forest”.
After a short break, INZIN scholarship holder Christian Großhauser shared the current state of his research after a year of doctoral studies.
After a joint lunch break, Mr. Torsten Weber from Gertec GmbH Co. KG gave a presentation on “Resource efficiency and circular economy in energy-efficient building refurbishment”. This was followed by a presentation and discussion by Dr. Lukas Gast, who gave an overview of the circular economy.
As a cultural highlight, the participants visited the Ruhr Museum on the grounds of the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen in the afternoon. This visit provided a fascinating insight into the region’s industrial history and rounded off the seminar.
The second day began with a science speed dating session, during which the participants had short conversations about the highlights and challenges of their doctorates.
At the end of the seminar, there was a feedback session followed by the official farewell. The experiences and insights of the seminar were reflected upon and the next steps were planned.
We would like to thank all doctoral students for their dedicated participation, Andreas Hübner and Julian Leber for organizing the seminar and Gertec GmbH Co. KG for the use of their premises and are already looking forward to the next doctoral seminar.
General Meeting, Young Science Forum Summer Party
News 2024

This year, the Young Science Forum and the INZIN summer party took place for the second time at the Canoo Club on the Rhine. First, however, the fifth INZIN General Meeting took place. We are very pleased that Prof. Dr. Martin Faulstich was re-elected to the Board of Directors of the INZIN Institute and would like to thank our members, whose support makes our work possible in the first place. Our scholarship holders had the opportunity to present their research topics at the Young Scientists’ Forum. Many thanks again to Dr. Lukas Gast, who introduced the INZIN Institute and the Circular Economy working group and moderated the forum, and to our scholarship holders Jule Jeschonowski-Papstein, Pauline Jegen and Konstantin Saure, who presented their complex research topics in an engaging and entertaining way. Finally, many thanks to our guests, whose participation made the evening very special.
We are already looking forward to many more exciting events and to shaping the future of industrial society together with you!
Green Economy Award NRW 2024
News 2024
Green Economy Award NRW 2024

Jury of the Green Economy Award NRW 2024 / ©MUNV
Ten companies nominated for the Green Economy Award NRW 2024
Under the motto “Green Economy paves the way to Europe’s first climate-neutral industrial region”, the Ministry of the Environment has awarded the Green Economy Award for the third time this year together with NRW.BANK.
- BIKAR-METALLE GmbH (Bad Berleburg)
- Claytec GmbH Co. KG (Viersen)
- CUNA Products GmbH (Dortmund)
- “Grüne Linie – nachhaltige Bestattungen” im Bestattungshaus Hebenstreit Kentrup GmbH (Bonn)
- HDB Recycling GmbH (Hünxe)
- Hydrotec Ingenieursgesellschaft für Wasser und Umwelt mbH (Aachen)
- Kueppers Solutions GmbH (Dortmund)
- Membion GmbH (Roetgen)
- Voltfang GmbH (Aachen)
- WestfalenWIND IT GmbH Co KG (Paderborn)
Further information on the Green Economy Award NRW: Green Economy Award NRW 2024: Ten companies nominated | Green Economy.NRW
New INZIN scholarship holder Daniel Ohl
News 2024

We are delighted to welcome Mr. Daniel Ohl to our team as a new INZIN Fellow on July 1, 2024.
Mr. Ohl is researching new indicators and evaluations of technologies for the circular economy. He completed his Master’s degree in Applied Chemistry at TH Köln in September 2023 with a focus on green and sustainable chemistry. Before that, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Chemistry at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. Last year, he completed an internship at Prognos AG in the field of sustainability consulting with first projects in the field of circular economy and chemical recycling.
Circular economy - rare earths and industrial metals
News 2024

The transition to a decarbonized economy is increasing the demand for rare earths and industrial metals. Securing a sustainable supply of raw materials is therefore essential for the successful transformation of Germany as an innovative industrial location.
As Germany and the EU are heavily dependent on individual countries for the extraction and processing of rare earths and industrial metals, effectively recovering them and closing raw material cycles is a key challenge. This expert forum focused on the barriers that need to be overcome for a cross-sector circular economy.
Together with representatives from politics, science and industry, the expert forum discussed which political framework conditions could lead to more effective recovery of rare earths and industrial metals. Input from Dr. Michael Weltzin, Division IVB1 Mineral Raw Materials, Circular Economy, Technical Supervision BGR of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), Dr. Lukas Gast, Team Leader Circular Economy at the Institute for the Future of Industrial Society (INZIN), and Dr. Britta Bookhagen, Head of the Recycling Raw Materials Department at the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA), contributed to a successful event.