Frank Benner, CEO of the B+T Group, and shareholder Annalina Benner presented this year's Innovation Award to the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST at a ceremony on December 1, 2022. The Managing Director, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann, accepted the award on behalf of the institute, its employees and researchers.
In Braunschweig, sustainable solutions are being researched with people in mind, using state-of-the-art technology and in cooperation with the Technical University. The diversity of the 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 through to disposal and recycling, i.e. from the cradle to the grave, and implement it in a practical way. We help companies to switch from gas to hydrogen and build new things - with dry rooms for sustainable energy storage and new types of batteries," explains Christoph Herrmann.
The innovation drivers from Braunschweig are also active in mechanical engineering, plant construction, 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 for them is infectious.
In the "Patient room of the future" research project, specially coated surfaces are used that have an antiviral and antibacterial effect and are easy to clean - B+T is a practice partner here and is proud to be able to contribute its expertise in the field of coating. They have already worked together on various research projects in the past and appreciate each other's work.
"Here we are dealing with people who don't just preach sustainability, but really live it," explains Frank Benner when he talks about his first meeting with Prof. Herrmann in the laudatory speech. "While the rest of us were struggling to find parking spaces for our cars, he drove up on his cargo bike without a care in the world."
B+T's climate targets are based on those of the United Nations and are quite ambitious for the industry. Annalina Benner, partner and embodiment of "B" and "T" in Benner und Töchter, presented the history of the group of companies, made a passionate plea for the values of the younger generation and reminded everyone that sustainability also includes ethical and moral aspects. B+T not only employs people with a migration background in production, but also in administration. "It's the best and quickest way to learn a language and integrate people," Annalina Benner points out.
B+T plays a pioneering role in the industry: Digitalization is well advanced in production, the company branch B+T K-Alpha develops X-ray analysis devices for the coating industry and the software development of the company subsidiary BAG is revolutionizing the industry. "B+T wants to think outside the box and has set itself the goal of supervising at least two research projects a 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 and 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 B+T employees, some of whom are still in training, had the opportunity to present their projects and research projects. Their fresh approach is appreciated in all areas and, last but not least, everything works better when the work is fun. With 6 trainees in IT and media design, B+T is unusually well positioned for shaping the future in an original coating company.
