Quantum technology community from North Rhine-Westphalia submits position paper to the state
More than 200 experts from science and industry have developed a roadmap for the targeted development of quantum technologies in North Rhine-Westphalia. This roadmapping process resulted in a position paper with recommendations for the future of quantum technologies in North Rhine-Westphalia, which was presented to the State Secretaries from the Ministry of Culture and Science and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia at the process's closing event on January 28, 2025. This provides ideal starting conditions for the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Through continuous advances in photonics, nanotechnology, microsystems and semiconductor technology, as well as decades of basic research, companies, universities and non-university research institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia have reached a stage of development in quantum technologies that enables their concrete application in areas such as computing, sensor technology and measurement technology, and communication.
In these fields of application, quantum technologies can both complement existing solutions and open up entirely new possibilities with significant added value for business, science and society.
Thanks to their capabilities, quantum computers could, for example, optimize complex supply chains, production processes, or transportation systems in the future; enable simulations that were previously difficult to perform (such as climate modeling); or support the transformation of industry, including towards circular value creation, through the targeted development of molecules and materials. In this way, they can contribute to meeting major challenges.
Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert, State Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia: “Quantum technologies play a key role in addressing current and future challenges – for example, in the digitalization of medicine, materials research, and transportation. North Rhine-Westphalia can rely on the strength of its unique research and industrial landscape in this area. The roadmap is an important step in unlocking the enormous potential of quantum research and launching innovations ‘made in NRW.’ I would like to express my particular gratitude to everyone involved who is committed to researching and rapidly applying this future technology for the benefit of the people of North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond.”
Silke Krebs, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia: “Alongside artificial intelligence, quantum technologies are among the most promising technologies of our time. They offer enormous opportunities for fast and secure digital processes and intelligent solutions, including for the challenges of the climate-neutral transformation. This position paper demonstrates how strong our state already is in quantum technologies and how we can continue to drive development forward dynamically. We are using these impulses to translate the extensive expertise in science and industry into pioneering innovations for a sustainable, digital, and competitive North Rhine-Westphalia.”
Dr. Daniel Stadler, Managing Director of the EIN Quantum NRW Competence Network office: “The roadmapping process and the position paper demonstrate the excellence of the quantum technology stakeholders in North Rhine-Westphalia. We are delighted to be part of this community with EIN Quantum NRW and to support the achievement of its goals. The creation and submission of the position paper marks an important milestone.”
Dr. Bernd Jungbluth, coordinator of the position paper and head of the Strategic Program for Quantum Technology at Fraunhofer ILT, says: “We were aware of the strength of the quantum technology community in North Rhine-Westphalia right from the start of the roadmapping process. Nevertheless, as the coordination team, we were positively surprised by the breadth of activities in our state and the strong commitment of the community to the active development of the position paper. This forms an extremely stable foundation for the next steps.”
Quantum technologies utilize the properties of individual particles to pave the way for new approaches in areas such as measurement technology, navigation, computing, and communication. They make use of effects like superposition and entanglement.
The roadmap is available for download at the following link: https://ein-quantum.nrw/positionspapier-nrw-quantentechnologien
Background:
The Ministry of Culture and Science (MKW) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy (MWIKE) facilitated this collaborative roadmapping process. The process was carried out on behalf of the ministries by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) in Aachen, the Jülich Research Centre, and the EIN Quantum NRW competence network, with the participation of all interested stakeholders. The Quantum Technologies Roadmap creates the conditions for research and science, together with companies, to identify application areas for quantum technology and to develop applications that can be commercially exploited.
MKW press contact: presse@mkw.nrw.de, 0211 – 896 4790
Press contact MWIKE: presse@mwike.nrw.de, 0211 – 61772 143
Press contact EIN Quantum NRW: hendrik.koester@nmwp.de, +49 211 385459-16
Source: QT.NRW; MWIKE
