The institute develops and manages various cooperation networks. A cooperation network is an association of SMEs, large companies, universities, and research institutions. Focused on future-oriented markets, these networks support the development of innovative products, technologies, and services. Our networking goals include:
- Providing new contacts to expand business relationships
- Transferring knowledge to enable a technological advantage
- Developing solutions for current and future technical requirements
- Applying for and supporting funding projects
Research offers your company the opportunity to differentiate itself from competitors and set the course for positive corporate development. Research is an investment in the future! Minimize economic and technical risks through non-repayable grants from publicly funded research and development projects. We support you in this process. We accompany you from the idea to market launch and beyond. With us at your side, you receive a structured development process and the assurance that your project will be carried out in accordance with guidelines.
The innovation network "Next Generation Battery Systems" - NGBS
Circular, configurable energy storage systems for micromobility as well as domestic and industrial needs
The NGBS innovation network is a platform that systematically supports collaboration among small and medium-sized enterprises in research and development in the field of modern energy storage. It identifies the partners' common development needs and pools the necessary expertise. In addition, it coordinates and supports the application and implementation of research and development projects. This thematic challenge requires a holistic approach.
The innovation network DIEKUH
Innovation network for digitalization, automation and holistic resource management in cattle farming
The DIEKUH innovation network is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) as part of the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM).
The network aims to develop new concepts, technologies, and technical solutions (hardware and software). Using hoof and herd animal husbandry as an example – representing industrial livestock farming – the goal is to create innovations that support and promote the shift toward climate-friendly, resource-efficient, animal-welfare-oriented, and regional livestock production.
The cooperation network H2apply
Corporate network for product developments for decentralized hydrogen use as an energy source in the manufacturing industry
The H2 apply network is a ZIM-funded innovation network that aims to implement product developments in the field of decentralized energy supply with green hydrogen in order to make future production emission-free. The aim is to leverage the opportunities and growth of the hydrogen industry to:
- establish and validate successful, CO2-neutral production concepts that serve as flagship models for other SMEs,
- locate system-relevant know-how for processes in the "hydrogen as an energy carrier" value chain, particularly in German and Saxon SMEs,
- allow SMEs to participate disproportionately in this development,
- give SMEs the opportunity to develop new products and market them successfully.
The cooperation network I-Base
The cooperation network for the development of CO2 saving potential for existing industrial plants
The I-Base network is a cooperation platform for small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector. It uses digital data analysis of existing plants to precisely identify energy potential and facilitate new developments in the field of CO2 reduction. The explicit goal is to use the "transparent machine" as a basis, which should lead to maximum CO2 reduction through further measures in the areas of mechanics and process design.
The cooperation network OSGM
Digital Business Models Open Source
The "OSGM" network is designed to test approaches for generating business model innovations in a cross-sector corporate network for transfer into an open source platform for SMEs. The central research focus is, on the one hand, the identification of relevant innovative and disruptive approaches to business model innovation in SMEs, and, on the other hand, the implementation of a fully open innovation approach in a protected space throughout the network. The approach will be tested in four fields of activity: retail, service, integration, and product development. Through a secure method of information exchange, new approaches can be generated by many users for a wide variety of target groups.
The cooperation network CargoXS
Development of a new type of vehicle for last-mile applications in developing and emerging countries
The goal of the cooperation network is the design, development, and implementation of innovative technical and organizational solutions in the field of connected electric light vehicles.
The following three fields of activity are being addressed, reflecting the current challenges facing SMEs in the internationalization of connected electric light vehicles:
Field of activity 1: Development of a new vehicle category
Field of activity 2: Development of digital usage concepts as the basis for multiple use – consideration of other potential business models in the context of usage
Field of activity 3: Internationalization in vehicles, systems, and components
The cooperation network AuRoMi
Automation and robotics for medium-sized businesses
The Automation and Robotics Cooperation Network for SMEs (AuRoMi) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM).
AuRoMi supports the design, development and implementation of innovative technical and organizational solutions in automation and robotics. The aim is to help industrial SMEs not only manage necessary technological changes, but also gain lasting economic benefits.
The network also addresses structural barriers that currently limit the effective use of modern automation technologies in many traditional SMEs.
The cooperation-network MATZE
Material Chipping
MATZE is a cooperation network for the development of innovative and system-integratable technical andtechnological solutions for the chipping of new, innovative and application-oriented materials, funded within the framework of the ZIM Central Innovation Program for SMEs. We offer a solid basis for combining, merging and further developing regional and supra-regional economic and research know-how from science, industry and trade in the field of chipping materials. Our aim is to derive technological added values for the joint conception, development and implementation of system-integrated technological manufacturing solutions.
The cooperation-network Bahntecnet
We are researching for the future of rail-bound freight transport.
The content of the cooperation network bahntecnet is based on the initiative "5L for the realization of the innovative freight car 2030". Therefore, know-how from the areas of development, production, maintenance, service and infrastructure in rail technology is put together in order to derive and realize corresponding development and implementation activities. bahntecnet is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy based on a decision of the German Bundestag.
The cooperation-network Conloadsys
Simplified Container and Box Loading Systems
As part of the ZIM-Koop-KF project "CONLOADSYS-mobile", the project partners involved developed a new, mobile and modular multi-way system for loading and unloading non-system-compliant goods into/from standardized transport containers for professional use. The modular structure, consisting of a load handling system and a load movement system, is the main characteristic of the system.
The cooperation-network InnveloEnergie
Converting loss energy into electrical energy
The InnveloEnergie network pursues the goal of converting lost energy, which is usually in the form of waste heat, into electrical energy for the company in order to make it usable. The focus is on using the generated electrical energy for electromobility. By taking a holistic view of the energetic processes in the entire area in consideration, the analyzed potentials are to be converted into electrical energy through developments.
The harnessed electrical energy is to be transferred into innovative usage concepts.
The cooperation-network Prelum
Energy-efficient lightweight press
The aim was to develop and test a plant concept for various forming processes, different component dimensions, high versatility in terms of location and organization, simple modular design, adapted to logistical processes such as material flow, and fast and cost-effective integration capability into existing production lines.
PRELUM was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy based on a decision of the German Bundestag.
