Learn more about the innovation ecosystem in North Rhine-Westphalia in our showcase
Innovation showcase
Transformation through innovation
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Success StoriesEnvironmental
GOLDBECK GmbH
Concrete is virtually indispensable in any construction project. However, alongside its positive attributes, this building material also presents challenges, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions. GOLDBECK, a construction and services company operating throughout Europe and headquartered in Bielefeld, processes approximately one million tons of concrete annually, achieving significant emission reductions through innovative developments.
Success StoriesProduction
Oellers Immex Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG
Corrosion protection coatings often require the use of raw materials that are ecologically and health-wise critical. According to research conducted by the Oellers company in collaboration with the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, natural phosphorus compounds offer an interesting alternative. The Oellers paint factory and its partners have been working for some time on integrating these raw materials into coating chemistry and simultaneously making them available in large quantities from agricultural residues.
Success StoriesLogistics
Konecranes GmbH
Global trade generates significant emissions, not only on waterways but also in ports. Konecranes GmbH, a Düsseldorf-based specialist in material handling, has designed a mobile harbor crane that runs exclusively on electricity. These cranes are used worldwide.
Success StoriesProduction
carboliq GmbH
Plastics are indispensable. However, regulatory pressure is increasing, for example, to increase the proportion of recycled material in plastic packaging in order to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Remscheid-based company carboliq specializes in chemical recycling and thus helps industry comply with the requirements of the Packaging Ordinance.
Success StoriesTechnology
duotec GmbH
The company duotec from Halver specializes in high-precision sensor technology. It is constantly identifying new applications and now also utilizes quantum technologies. One of its latest innovations is a sensor for a special encryption method that allows sensitive data to be secured even in the age of the fastest quantum computers.
Success StoriesHealth
Numaferm GmbH
The Düsseldorf-based company has developed a process for the sustainable and cost-effective production of peptides and proteins, which play a crucial role in medicine, among other fields. For this achievement, the company founder and his former doctoral advisor received the NRW Innovation Award 2025.
Success StoriesProduction
Dirostahl GmbH
The production of steel components, such as those urgently needed for the energy transition, requires a great deal of energy and resources. Reducing energy consumption and optimizing resources within a circular economy is therefore a strategic goal at Dirostahl in Remscheid. AI is even used in manufacturing, for example to better utilize process heat or to save material.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
CIRCULARMED GmbH
Hospitals and clinics generate large quantities of waste every day. The recycling rate is currently low. The Bonn-based company CIRCULARMED aims to change this and promote the efficient and sustainable management of medical waste.
Success StoriesTechnology
ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH
Semiconductors are indispensable. However, their production consumes immense amounts of electricity and gas because it requires very high temperatures. The company ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH from Baesweiler near Aachen has developed a manufacturing process that requires significantly lower temperatures and even allows for entirely new material combinations.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
ScrapBees GmbH
ScrapBees, a start-up from Neuss, specializes in metal scrap recycling and has developed an innovative concept. The "Scrap Bees," as the company name translates to, relieve tradespeople by taking over the sorting work directly on construction sites and then systematically and directly marketing the scrap using digital tools.
Success StoriesProduction
Achenbach Buschhütten GmbH & Co. KG
The company Achenbach Buschhütten in Kreuztal specializes in the design and manufacture of machines and systems for flat rolling. It looks back on a long tradition and regularly meets the numerous challenges with innovations. This includes the Buschhütten Campus, where research, teaching, demonstrations, consulting, production, and further training take place collaboratively.
Success StoriesHealth
Condor Group
During her "NRW Innovation Tour," Minister Mona Neubaur also visited the Condor Group in Salzkotten. With Condor MedTec GmbH, the group possesses expertise in the development and manufacturing of precision medical devices for surgical procedures. Condor Custom Solutions GmbH & Co. KG is a key service provider for wire EDM and milling technology as well as additive manufacturing. The group is increasingly addressing the severe shortage of skilled workers through automation.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
rhinopaq GmbH
All too often, goods are shipped in single-use packaging. The Essen-based company rhinopaq wants to change that. The startup launched a reusable packaging solution in 2023 and aims to establish a circular economy, primarily in the B2B sector. According to the company, rhinopaq boxes can be reused at least 20 times. This saves costs, emissions, and resources.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
Illucens
Illucens, based in Ahaus, Germany, specializes in high-quality, sustainable, insect-based animal feed ingredients. The company uses the black soldier fly to reduce waste and replace fishmeal with natural and nutritious proteins. For this, they received the German Sustainability Award in autumn 2024.
EnergySuccess Stories
AIXTRON SE
Many applications would be inconceivable today without the semiconductor industry. The company AIXTRON from Herzogenrath is a player in this future-oriented market. Its facilities are used to manufacture microelectronic components that enable faster charging times and lower power consumption.
EnergySuccess Stories
Metternich Building Technology GmbH
Heat pumps are a hot topic. These systems are attractive not only for private homes but also for commercial buildings. They are particularly efficient when they utilize as many different heat sources as possible, depending on the season. Intelligent energy source management helps achieve this. Metternich Haustechnik from Windeck has developed an innovative solution for this.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
Albert Seine GmbH
Battery systems are becoming increasingly important. With their rapid growth, questions about production conditions, the origin of raw materials, and subsequent recyclability are also becoming more pressing. From 2027, this information must be documented in a digital battery passport. Albert Seine GmbH from Dülmen, together with a partner, has already developed an innovative solution for this.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
ESK-SIC GmbH
Silicon carbide is an important and sought-after raw material for numerous applications. However, its extraction is very energy-intensive and consumes a great deal of resources. The company ESK-SIC from Frechen will soon start production using a completely new, self-developed method, replacing a 130-year-old manufacturing process and saving up to 80 percent of CO₂ emissions.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
Excellence Coatings GmbH
Gradually replacing PFAS – that's the mission of Excellence Coatings, a spin-off from the University of Paderborn. The young company develops and produces additives that enable the creation of water- and dirt-repellent surface coatings – without the use of environmentally harmful PFAS.
Success StoriesTechnology
myneva Group – Improving care through speech recognition
The Essen-based myneva Group has one goal: to improve healthcare. The software developer aims to enhance and accelerate documentation and administration, giving caregivers more time for patients. AI also plays a role in this.
Success stories:Production,Environment
PAPSTAR Solutions GmbH – Disposable tableware without waste
Single-use and reusable products don't have to be mutually exclusive. The company PAPSTAR, based in Kall in the Eifel region, manufactures disposable tableware and service packaging. Since 2019, the company has also offered complete recycling concepts, including the conversion of used tableware into a secondary raw material from which industrial cardboard is produced.
Success StoriesProduction
marantec group – Mastering the transformation together
Since 1990, the Marantec Group, based in Marienfeld, has been developing and producing drive and control systems for gates. To manage the transformation, the company aims to evolve from a "hidden champion" to an "open champion" and develop innovations together with other companies and organizations.
Success StoriesProduction
Nature Compound – Replacing plastic
Far too much plastic waste in the environment – this also bothers young entrepreneur Niclas Beutler. With his start-up Nature Compound, he is bringing a plastic alternative made from renewable raw materials to the market. This can be used to produce packaging, for example. In 2022, the company received an innovation award for its development.
Success stories:Production,Environment
Büscher Concrete Plant GmbH & Co. KG – On the way to a circular construction industry
In Germany, well over 200 million tons of construction and demolition waste are generated every year. At the same time, natural resources such as gravel and sand are becoming scarce. Betonwerk Büscher GmbH & Co. KG is therefore taking a new approach: they have developed a recycled concrete in which all natural stones and sand are 100 percent replaced by demolition waste. A first building with interior walls made of recycled concrete has now been completed in Heek.
Success stories:Production,Technology,Environment
Weidmüller – The Double Challenge
Customers are facing increasing pressure to cut costs and streamline operations, while at the same time, the responsible use of finite resources is becoming ever more important. Weidmüller in Detmold takes both challenges very seriously. The company won a sustainability award in 2023.
Success stories:Production,Environment
HUESKER Synthetic GmbH – Experience with Transformation
Founded in 1861 as a cotton weaving mill, HUESKER is no stranger to transformation. The company practically had to reinvent itself in the 1970s. Since then, it has become a globally sought-after supplier of technical textiles for civil engineering, industry, and agriculture. For the past few years, it has increasingly focused on geotextiles made from recycled PET.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
Cornelsen Environmental Technology GmbH – Committed to clean waters
Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals are used in fire extinguishers, pizza boxes, and outdoor clothing. They pollute the environment because they are non-biodegradable. Cornelsen Umwelttechnologie GmbH from Essen, recipient of the 2022 North Rhine-Westphalia Environmental Business Award, has developed a technology that allows these chemicals to be removed from bodies of water without leaving any residue.
Success StoriesProductionTechnology
WAGO GmbH & Co. KG – Gradually replacing plastic
The WAGO Group, headquartered in Minden, has been a specialist in electrical connection technology and automation for many decades. Now the company has opened a new chapter in terms of transformation and sustainability: In September 2023, it launched its first product made partially from recycled and bio-based residual materials.
EnergySuccess Stories
GEMESYS GmbH – Making Artificial Intelligence More Efficient
Artificial intelligence is currently the dominant topic when it comes to increasing digitalization. However, AI must be trained before it can be deployed. GEMESYS GmbH from Bochum, runner-up in the audience award of the NRW Innovation Prize 2023, is currently developing a chip that could dramatically increase the efficiency of AI.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
Circuly GmbH – Save resources by renting instead of buying
Victoria Erdbrügger and Nick Huijs believe you don't have to own everything yourself. Car sharing is widely known, but you can also share strollers, e-scooters, and many other products. With their company, circuly, they offer companies software to expand their business model from selling to renting their products.
Success StoriesProduction
Oskar Lehmann GmbH & Co. KG – Alternatives to plastic
Oskar Lehmann GmbH & Co. KG, based in Blomberg-Donop near Lemgo, specializes in technical plastic parts, for example for the furniture and automotive industries. The company aims to continuously increase the proportion of recycled and bio-based plastics used in its products.
Success StoriesHealth
dermanostic GmbH – Online dermatology practice
Why wait almost 40 days when it can be done in 24 hours? Dermanostic makes it possible. The young company from Düsseldorf calls itself "dermatologist via app" and can replace visits to a dermatologist's office in many cases through online, image-based diagnoses.
Success StoriesMobility
Ralf Bohle GmbH – Rolling Innovations
For those unfamiliar with the company name: Most readers will likely recognize the "Schwalbe" brand – at least those who cycle. "Schwalbe," it's fair to say, is probably the best-known brand of bicycle tires and inner tubes in Germany. Ralf Bohle GmbH has been committed to sustainability for several decades, with recycling playing an increasingly central role.
Success StoriesHealth
novadocs GmbH – Digitally detect cardiac arrhythmias at an early stage
Millions of people in Germany now use smartwatches. Together with an app developed in North Rhine-Westphalia, these watches could soon help detect heart rhythm disorders early, record a digital ECG, and have it reviewed by specialists. The "smartcor" app is an invention of novadocs GmbH from Bad Oeynhausen, which has already received a nationwide award for it.
Environment
b.fab GmbH – Like in nature, only more efficient
Plants absorb carbon dioxide and convert the greenhouse gas into sugar and oxygen. However, this natural process is inefficient. The Cologne-based company b.fab aims to convert harmful CO2 into formic acid using a more efficient technology.
Success StoriesEnvironmental
VYTAL Global – Conserving resources when eating out
The production of disposable food packaging for takeaway in Germany burdens the climate with over 400,000 tons of CO2 annually. The Cologne-based company Vytal aims to counteract this. Four years after its founding, 6,500 partners in the food service industry and 450,000 registered users already rely on Vytal's deposit-free reusable system. This significantly reduces resource consumption.
ProductionEnvironment
Jokey Group – On the way to a circular economy
Since 1968, the company Jokey, headquartered in Wipperfürth, has been producing injection-molded plastic packaging, such as paint buckets and yogurt cups. It relies exclusively on polypropylene, i.e., a single material and no material blends, because this offers advantages in recycling.
Success Storiesin Health andTechnology
Fibrothelium GmbH – A new task for the silkworm
Fibrothelium GmbH in Aachen is a technology start-up from RWTH Aachen University. Founded in 2017, it has developed a process for extracting a key component from natural silk, which the company then uses to develop products that can be temporarily used as naturally biodegradable implants in the human body.
Success StoriesProduction
ZINQ GmbH & Co. KG – Away from gas and primary raw materials
Companies like ZINQ from Gelsenkirchen, with 50 locations worldwide, consume a great deal of energy and raw materials. However, ZINQ is also a good example of a turnaround through innovation: the family-owned company is working full steam ahead towards a completely sustainable, circular, and climate-positive business model.
EnergySuccess Stories
Voltfang GmbH – A second life for electric vehicle batteries
Batteries in electric vehicles are often replaced after three or four years. Although they still have considerable capacity, they are recycled prematurely – and sometimes even disposed of. The innovative Aachen-based startup Voltfang proves that there is another way. The company gives the batteries a second life, significantly improving their environmental footprint.
