In general, lightweight construction has always played an important role in North Rhine-Westphalia, and the expertise of our industry and research community in this field is internationally recognized. However, our leading position and successes cannot be taken for granted. Technology transfer and the “I” in R&D&I activities—innovation—are crucial factors.
“Lightweight construction is one of the game-changing technologies of the 21st century,” declared Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier—and rightly so, given the major innovations in countless application areas of this technology, which has been an important part of our cluster work for more than 10 years. In modern lightweight construction, the focus is as much on boosting growth and competitiveness as it is on ensuring climate protection and sustainability, as well as increasing resource efficiency and promoting the circular economy. In the Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Program (TTP LB), North Rhine-Westphalia’s contribution as Germany’s No. 1 materials state became evident in the context of nationwide innovation activities. Numerous innovative project ideas for the TTP LB were developed and submitted through the NMWP.NRW cluster and its networking activities.
The recently published “North Rhine-Westphalia Innovation Report” also attested to a “vibrant and multifaceted innovation landscape.” As the NMWP.NRW state cluster and the Coordination Office for Quantum Technologies of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, we are particularly pleased that key technologies such as lightweight construction, nanotechnology, materials, photonics, and quantum technology are among the future fields identified in the innovation report. Not only that, but innovations in nearly all other future-oriented fields—such as energy (technology), ICT, smart manufacturing technologies, medical technology, environmental technology, and so on—are closely linked to the key technologies as areas of application. As you can see, the key technologies of nanotechnology, microsystems technology, new materials, photonics, and quantum technologies play a major role in North Rhine-Westphalia!
Professor Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, Minister of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization, and Energy for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, said in our interview: “We need innovative minds and innovative companies.” As the NMWP.NRW cluster manager, I am convinced that North Rhine-Westphalia has already made a major contribution to lightweight construction through many exciting and innovative solutions, and will continue to do so in the future. To provide a brief glimpse into the diverse contributions of the cluster’s stakeholders in lightweight construction, we have made a point in this magazine of giving a voice especially to the “hidden champions.”