Fraunhofer, Europe’s largest applied research organization, has announced strategic collaborations with two prominent partners in India—the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for Hydrogen Technologies and the State of Tamil Nadu for Innovation and digitalization clusters.
This momentous development was unveiled during the 6th Fraunhofer Innovation and Technology Platform (FIT), a gathering that focused on the circular economy’s pivotal role in manufacturing, mobility, packaging, recycling, and the water-food-energy nexus.
The FIT event witnessed the participation of more than 250 industry experts, government officials, and research organizations, highlighting the significant influence and impact of Fraunhofer on the Indian innovation landscape. Fraunhofer India’s Director, Anandi Iyer, emphasized the organization’s mission in India, bridging German experiences with India’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem. She underscored Fraunhofer’s unique ability to harmoniously merge fundamental research with industry collaboration, facilitating the rapid transformation of cutting-edge research into market-ready solutions.
Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s IT/BT and Panchayati Raj Minister, made a significant announcement during the event—the establishment of a circular economy cluster. He extended an invitation to Fraunhofer to be a partner in this pioneering initiative. Kharge outlined Karnataka’s commitment to embracing circular production models and highlighted the inclusion of the circular economy in key state policies, including startup policies, waste management policies, and vehicle scrapping policies. He also announced plans for India’s first Circular Economy lab, involving partnerships with private players, academia, and other governments.
This year’s FIT Summit placed a spotlight on the circular economy, acknowledging its critical importance in addressing global challenges. Dr. Markus Wolperdinger, Director of Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB), emphasized the need to transition from a linear economic model of resource extraction and disposal to a circular approach rooted in sustainability and responsible resource management. He stressed the importance of recognizing planetary boundaries and embracing a circular bio-economy. Fraunhofer, with a majority of its institutes engaged in this field, is actively involved in R&D projects dedicated to finding innovative solutions for a circular economy.
The event served as a platform for comprehending the intricacies of circular economy and sustainability challenges. Fraunhofer showcased its expertise in providing intelligent solutions and models tailor-made for India. This collaborative endeavor between Fraunhofer and India holds the promise of advancing sustainable practices, fostering innovation, and addressing the pressing global issues related to resource management and circularity.
