Solving Problems of Today: CMFI Researchers Receive Technology Transfer Award

Project Description:

The chemical substance EDTA is widely used in industry, agriculture, water treatment and medicine. However, EDTA is difficult to degrade and poses an environmental hazard. Therefore, alternatives are being sought that have comparable chemical properties but are biodegradable. One such alternative is EDDS, which is produced by the harmless soil bacterium Amycolatopsis japonicum.

The Tübingen research team has developed a bacterial mutant that produces [S,S]-EDDS in large quantities without being inhibited by interfering factors. The project builds on the work on EDDS that was established in the research group of Evi Stegmann. Now, the knowledge gained is to be transferred to large-scale industrial applications. The biotechnological production of EDDS on an industrial scale could significantly reduce the use of EDTA and enable the manufacture of environmentally friendly products.

The company CHT has already tested EDDS in its products and confirmed its suitability. Together with the research team, they are now working on the industrial production of EDDS.

The Award for Excellent Technology Transfer Neckar-Alb

Since 2014, the Institute for Knowledge Management and Knowledge Transfer (IWW) of the IHK Reutlingen has been awarding the Neckar-Alb Prize for Excellent Technology Transfer to researchers from the four universities in the Neckar-Alb region for their concrete commitment to technology transfer. The award winners are selected by a jury from industry and science. The 2024 award ceremony took place during the Reutlingen Innovation Days.

The 2024 Technology Transfer Prize was awarded to:

University of Tübingen:

Prof. Dr. Evi Stegmann and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wohlleben with Dr. Naybel Hernandez Perez

Cooperation Partner: CHT Tübingen

Research Area: Chemical Substances

Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences:

Prof. Dr. Jörg Bergemann with Dr. Daniel Schniertshauer

Cooperation Partner: Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany

Research Area: Drug discovery and development

University of Reutlingen:

Prof. Dr. Sabine Löbbe and Werner König

Cooperation Partner: Adelhelm Kunststoffbeschichtungen GmbH, Eningen u.A. BKW Kälte-Wärme-Versorgungstechnik GmbH, Wolfschlugen

Karl Schlegel GmbH, Dotternhausen

Tiefenbach village bakery, St. Johann-Würtingen

Weinmann Holzbausystemtechnik GmbH, St. Johann

Rolf Windhösel GmbH & Co. KG, Sonnenbühl

Research area: Company and employee oriented energy management (EmSenQua)

University of Reutlingen:

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Echelmeyer and his team Mert Mete and Tuan Nguyen

Cooperation partner: Tubex GmbH, Rangendingen

Research area: Process automation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

(Source: IHK press release, 1.7.2024, Editor: Leon Kokkoliadis)

The Projects:

Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences: Prof. Dr. Jörg Bergemann with Dr. Daniel Schniertshauer Participating company: Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach an der Riß, Germany: Drug discovery and development

Project description: In a joint project, scientists from the Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences and Boehringer Ingelheim investigated two rare diseases: systemic sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Both diseases cause inflammation and scarring in the tissues and are currently incurable and associated with high mortality. The project developed a new cell culture model and tested drugs to better understand and treat the fibrotic processes. Another advantage is that the cell culture model developed can partially replace animal experiments. This research could lead to better treatment options for patients with a new drug that is already in the final phase of clinical development at Boehringer and also strengthen the region as a location for innovative medicine.

University of Tübingen: Prof. Dr. Evi Stegmann and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wohlleben with Dr. Naybel Hernandez Perez

Cooperation Partner: CHT Tübingen

Research Area: Chemical Substances

Project description: The chemical substance EDTA is widely used in industry, agriculture, water treatment and medicine, for example in detergents and fertilizers. However, EDTA is poorly biodegradable. The Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine (IMIT) in Tübingen, Germany, has developed an environmentally friendly alternative. The compound [S,S]-EDDS, which is produced by a soil bacterium, can bind metals just as effectively as EDTA, but is biodegradable. A bacterial mutant developed in Tübingen, Germany, now enables the production of [S,S]-EDDS without dying off due to disruptive factors. If it is possible to produce EDDS on an industrial scale in this way, it will be possible to replace EDTA with more environmentally friendly products.

Reutlingen University: Prof. Dr. Sabine Löbbe and Werner König

Cooperation Partners: Adelhelm Kunststoffbeschichtungen GmbH, Eningen u.A. BKW Kälte-Wärme-Versorgungstechnik GmbH, Wolfschlugen

Karl Schlegel GmbH, Dotternhausen

Tiefenbach village bakery, St. Johann-Würtingen

Weinmann Holzbausystemtechnik GmbH, St. Johann

Rolf Windhösel GmbH & Co. KG, Sonnenbühl

Research area: Company and employee oriented energy management (EmSenQua)

Project description: EMSenQua focuses on holistic energy management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim of the project is to institutionalize energy management in these companies through targeted qualification and awareness raising measures. The participating companies are supported in implementing energy efficiency measures to achieve sustainable environmental relief. The project supports not only the company but also its employees by providing them with important skills in energy management. In this way, EMSenQua helps to increase energy efficiency in SMEs and to reduce environmental impact in the long term.

Reutlingen University: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Echelmeyer and his team Mert Mete and Tuan Nguyen

Cooperation Partner: Tubex GmbH, Rangendingen

Research area: Process automation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Project description: A new project will develop and test a "digital twin" for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim is to create a data architecture that digitizes and monitors actual processes in real time. The system will also assess the potential for future process optimization, particularly in the area of automation. This technology will enable SMEs to make their processes more efficient and better identify opportunities for optimization. As a result of the collaboration, the participating company was able to achieve significant benefits for its process automation.