B+T presents Innovation Award 2022 to the Fraunhofer IST

In a festive hour on December 1, 2022, Frank Benner, CEO of the B+T group of companies, and shareholder Annalina Benner presented this year's Innovation Award to the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST.

The Duden dictionary defines the term "innovation", which is derived from the Latin term "innovare", in an economic context as: "realization of a novel, advanced solution to a specific problem, especially the introduction of a new product or the application of a new process". In this sense the B+T group of companies honors the human-centered research and development of sustainable as well as future-oriented technologies of the Fraunhofer Institute IST.

The managing director, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann, accepted the award on behalf of the institute, its employees and researchers. With people in mind, using the latest technical possibilities, in cooperation with the Technical University, research is carried out in Braunschweig into sustainable solutions. The diversity of research approaches and results is truly impressive.

Because our planet's resources are limited and "business as usual" is out of the question, Prof. Herrmann's team is researching alternative energy sources that contribute to decarbonization. H2 components, Circular Economy especially for the automotive industry, Life Cycle Engineering, Sustainable Manufacturing: "We want to keep an eye on the sustainable design of the entire product life cycle, from the procurement of raw materials to production and the product to disposal and recycling, i.e. from the cradle to the grave, and implement it in a practical way. We help companies with the conversion from gas to hydrogen, build new - with dry rooms for sustainable energy storage, new batteries", Christoph Herrmann explains.

The innovation drivers from Braunschweig are also active in mechanical engineering, plant engineering, optics, pharmacology and medical technology - the examples of individualized tablets from the 3D printer, intelligent screws, the Mars Rover and ozonated water are endless and the enthusiasm is contagious.

In the research project "Patient rooms of the future", specially coated surfaces are used that have an antiviral and antibacterial effect and are easy to clean - here B+T is a practical partner and proud to be able to contribute its know-how in the field of coating. They have already been able to work together on various research projects in the past and appreciate each other.

"Here we are dealing with people who don't just preach sustainability, but really live it," Frank Benner elaborates when recounting his first encounter with Prof. Herrmann in the laudatory speech. "While the rest of us were scrambling to find parking spaces for our cars, he calmly rode up on his cargo bike."

B+T's climate targets are based on those of the United Nations and are quite ambitious for the industry. Annalina Benner, shareholder and embodiment of "B" and "T" in Benner and Daughters, presented the development of the group of companies, made a passionate plea for the values of the younger generation and reminded them that sustainability also includes ethical and moral aspects. Not only in manufacturing has B+T employed people with a migration background, but also in administration. "After all, this is the best and fastest way to learn a language and integrate people," Annalina Benner points out.

B+T is taking a pioneering role in the industry: Digitalization is well advanced in production, the company's B+T K-Alpha branch develops X-ray analysis equipment for the coating industry, and the software development of the company's BAG subsidiary is revolutionizing the industry. "B+T wants to think outside the box and has set itself the goal of supervising at least 2 research projects per year," Christoph Herrmann recalls with appreciation a statement by Frank Benner.

A tour of the electroplating shop offered the opportunity to experience some coating products as well as processes live - from passive pedestrian protection to pressure springs for inhalers for the treatment of long covid patients, the discussions about thin and thick layers, sealing etc. took place at eye level.

Finally, young employees of B+T, some of whom are still in training, had the opportunity to present their projects or research projects. In all areas their fresh approach is appreciated and last but not least everything works better if the work is also fun. With 6 trainees in IT and media design, B+T is unusually positioned to shape the future of an original coating company. (OM-12/22)