Fraunhofer IKTS uses ceramic components in many areas of plant engineering: for the production of hydrogen and the separation of carbon dioxide, for the synthesis of platform chemicals and e-fuels, in huge stationary batteries for power grids, and in the purification of water for the population and industry. The high-performance ceramic materials enable domestic production without strategically risky materials. The region around Fraunhofer IKTS in Hermsdorf is one of the world's leading clusters for these ceramic technologies – and IKTS extends this expertise far into the neighboring industrial regions.

Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology, and Space:

“The expertise developed at Fraunhofer IKTS, which the institute has built up with industry over recent years, is an important building block for Germany's competitiveness.  Energy storage, CCU, and water technologies based on ceramic materials not only contribute to Germany's resilience and technological sovereignty, but they also have the potential to become international export hits. This also presents us with a challenge: we need the support of the federal states and research institutions to implement Germany's high-tech agenda. Only by working together can we restore Germany's position as a leading technology nation.”

Mario Voigt, Minister President of Thuringia:

“Hermsdorf is a Thuringian innovation hub with international appeal. A strong cluster for innovative materials and energy technologies has developed here around Fraunhofer IKTS in collaboration with industry. The Free State's long-term investments in Fraunhofer IKTS have paid off: Thuringia is a place where research leads to concrete innovations. As a key electricity transit country, Thuringia needs solutions for storing and using energy intelligently. This is precisely the kind of knowledge being developed in Hermsdorf – and it is being turned into concrete innovations for the industrial future.”

Christian Tischner, Minister of Science of the Free State of Thuringia:

“Ceramic technologies from Hermsdorf make us less dependent on strategically risky raw materials – that is sovereignty through research. Thuringia has established one of the world's leading clusters in this field, and we will continue to build on this advantage.”

Prof. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft:

“The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Hermsdorf is one of Germany's largest institutes in the field of energy and environmental technology and, at the same time, an excellent example of the bridge between excellent research and industrial application that is typical of Fraunhofer. With its innovative high-performance ceramics, but above all with its enormous industrial implementation expertise, IKTS is making a direct contribution to strengthening the region and transforming the German economy. Many thanks to Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär for the on-site exchange.”

Prof. Alexander Michaelis, Institute Director of Fraunhofer IKTS:

“We are delighted to welcome Federal Minister Bär and see this as a significant sign of appreciation and recognition of technical ceramics as a crucial enabling technology for many high-tech industries. These include, for example, energy and environmental technology, chemistry, electronics, and defense. We are the largest Fraunhofer Institute in the new federal states and are also active in Bavaria and Lower Saxony. With our system expertise in plant engineering, we connect regions and enable new value creation across the board.”