Improve post-mining soils through recycling of mineral residues.

Lignite mining causes long-term landscape changes, destroying soils and aquifers. Iron hydroxide sludge (IHS) from mine drainage can improve poor soils by binding organic matter. This project explores the benefits and risks of using IHS for soil recultivation and carbon sequestration, aiming to optimize IHS use without harming plant growth or groundwater.

The team investigates the sourcing, processing and recycling of primary and secondary mineral and metallic raw material deposits to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, to meet climate and digital objectives and to lower the dependency on imports from single country suppliers.

We are dedicated to make fuels out of water and waste gas like CO₂ in a green way with electricity or sunlight.

We are seeking a way to do catalysis in a greener way, like using photo-energy from the sunlight or mechanical energy from the wind.

We invent bio-adhesives for more sustainability.

We develop sustainable, non-toxic and high-performance protein-based adhesives. Inspired by nature, we offer a ‘construction kit’ for an environmentally friendly and biocompatible alternative to synthetic adhesives. We see the application in industrial and pharmaceutical products.

We are researching solar cells for the future.

The aim of the B5 innovation team is to develop a prototype of a multi-junction solar cell from previously undiscovered photovoltaic materials. The aim is to transfer the inventions and research results to the economic region of southern Saxony-Anhalt. To identify suitable materials, the team is drawing on the results of quantum theoretical calculations.

We are developing the batteries of the day after tomorrow, which are not only powerful but also environmentally friendly.

We are researching new battery technologies made from sustainable materials, in particular silicon-air batteries. These use silicon, which is widely available and non-toxic, and offer ten times the energy density of conventional batteries. At the JTC, we are overcoming the obstacles to exploit the great potential for sustainable energy storage.

We Make Plastic Better

Wir entwickeln verbesserte Kunststoffe, die sich leichter recyceln lassen, ohne an Qualität einzubüßen. Durch die Einführung einer dynamischen Struktur in Kunststoff erreichen wir ein Gleichgewicht zwischen hoher Leistung und Umweltverträglichkeit. Wir untersuchen auch, wie sich Kunststoffe zersetzen, um das Risiko der Bildung von Mikroplastik zu verstehen, das eine unsichtbare Bedrohung für die Umwelt und die menschliche Gesundheit darstellt.