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Germany’s Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is calling for faster and more effective technology transfer to strengthen the country’s industrial competitiveness, as research, industry and government leaders gathered in Leipzig for the organization’s annual assembly.

Held under the theme “Fraunhofer — Transfer for Our Future,” the event focused on turning scientific excellence into economic value, technological sovereignty and societal benefits. The discussion comes as Germany looks to accelerate innovation and improve the commercialization of research through its High-Tech Agenda.

For eeNews Europe readers, the topic is particularly relevant because successful technology transfer is a critical link between research labs and commercial products. Faster deployment of new technologies can help European industry remain competitive in areas such as advanced manufacturing, hydrogen, photonics and other deep-tech sectors.

Research to market

In his keynote address, Fraunhofer President Holger Hanselka stressed the need to speed up the journey from scientific discovery to industrial application.

“If we want to remain competitive and ensure our long-term success as an industrial base, innovation is key,” Hanselka said. “We need to be better, faster and more innovative than our competitors. That is why Germany needs a comprehensive approach to improving technology transfer across all channels — from contract research for industry to licensing to spin-offs.”

Hanselka highlighted Fraunhofer’s performance over the past year, noting that the organization achieved a record level of industrial revenue in 2025 despite a challenging economic environment. He said the result demonstrates the value of applied research, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.

While Fraunhofer continues to support spin-offs as a route for disruptive technologies, Hanselka emphasized that contract research remains the organization’s primary focus. According to him, industrial partners need practical solutions they can deploy quickly in competitive markets.

The theme also resonates with UNESCO’s commemorative year marking the 200th anniversary of Joseph von Fraunhofer’s death. Hanselka noted that the scientist, entrepreneur and inventor viewed research and commercialization as closely connected activities, an approach that continues to guide the organization today.

High-Tech Agenda in focus

Several speakers underlined the importance of collaboration between research organizations, industry and government.

Oliver Zipse, deputy chair of the Fraunhofer Senate and former CEO of BMW AG, praised the role of applied research in driving innovation and economic transformation.

“Here at Fraunhofer, the transfer of research findings to industry is truly put into practice. This is crucial because research, industry and government can only achieve transformation by working together,” he said.

Rolf-Dieter Jungk, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, described Fraunhofer as one of the country’s most influential research organizations and said the federal government’s High-Tech Agenda aims to help Germany regain a leading position in international technology competition.

Hanselka argued that the initiative’s success will depend on the ability to convert research results into market-ready products more rapidly. He also urged lawmakers to quickly pass the proposed Freedom of Innovation Act, saying it would help create a more innovation-friendly environment.

Awards showcase applied innovation

The annual assembly also saw the presentation of three Joseph von Fraunhofer Prizes and the Stifterverband Science Prize “Forschung im Verbund.”

The award-winning projects ranged from more efficient production methods for green hydrogen and chemical products to resonant photoacoustic measurement technology and a new manufacturing system for precision optical coatings.

Together, the projects highlight Fraunhofer’s emphasis on translating research into practical industrial applications. As Germany seeks to strengthen its technological sovereignty and industrial base, the organization is positioning itself as a key partner in turning scientific breakthroughs into commercial success.

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