The winners are the "WFS Clearwater Lift" from AMS Alteno GmbH, the project "reffiSchaf" from the project community Frankenförder Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Biomanufaktur Havelland GmbH, and Gut Hirschaue GmbH & Co. KG, as well as the "MB fire-resistant wooden fire door" from the project community MB Fensterbau Beelitz GmbH and MB Brandschutztischlerei Beelitz GmbH. Additionally, two special awards were given: these went to Potsdam's Sectorlens GmbH for their AI-supported platform "Find Your Software" and to CanChip GmbH from Potsdam for the project "Tumour-on-Chip Models".
Minister of Economic Affairs Daniel Keller commended the innovative achievements: "I am very pleased for the award winners and extend my heartfelt congratulations! These innovations have rightfully earned the award. All winning projects impress with their innovative strength and the added value they bring to the Brandenburg economy, while also contributing to the sustainable protection of our environment. My thanks once again go to all participants in this important competition! This year, the Innovation Award was a grand stage for innovative achievements 'Made in Brandenburg.'"
Brief profiles of the award winners:
AMS Alteno GmbH (Luckau in Lusatia)
With the WFS Clearwater Lift, AMS Alteno GmbH presents a unique boat lifting system with clear water hydraulics, both nationally and across Europe. The innovation from Lower Lusatia sets new standards in environmental and water protection, as it completely avoids environmentally harmful hydraulic oil. Boat lifts with clear water hydraulics raise boats above the water surface, for example, for winter storage. This is additionally environmentally friendly, as it eliminates the need for water-damaging antifouling paints. The Clearwater Lift from AMS Alteno contributes to water protection compared to conventional oil hydraulic systems. The technology offers great potential for further industrial applications.
Frankenförder Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (Luckenwalde)
Biomanufaktur Havelland GmbH (Velten)
Gut Hirschaue GmbH & Co. KG (Rietz-Neuendorf)
The project "reffiSchaf" aims to establish a value chain for lamb and sheep meat and develop a corresponding marketing concept. All edible by-products from sheep, which have largely remained unused for human consumption or are partially disposed of at a cost, are to be utilised. This requires a greater number of attractive sheep meat products. Taste-masking processes, which exclusively use plant-based additives such as ginger juice, spices, or vegetables, help to mitigate the distinctive sheep aroma in products where it is undesirable. ReffiSchaf is developing new product forms such as sausages and convenience products specifically for the processing of sheep meat. The recently launched market introduction of a 100% sheep meat organic sausage is an initial success of the "reffiSchaf" product marketing. The project contributes to the sustainability of sheep farming.
MB Fensterbau Beelitz GmbH (Bad Belzig)
MB Brandschutztischlerei Beelitz GmbH (Bad Belzig)
The carpentry companies have achieved an innovative, Europe-wide successful product development with the MB fire-resistant wooden fire door. The wooden door, which is fire-resistant for 90 minutes in the event of a fire, impresses compared to competing products made of steel or metal due to its unique wood aesthetics, which is particularly sought after in heritage conservation. The fire door manufactured in Bad Belzig also allows for larger opening sizes for the first time and can be realised as a double-leaf door with arches. The use of certified wood from sustainable forestry as well as environmentally friendly paints and coatings for the production of fire doors is also convincing, as it is environmentally friendly.
Special award recipients:
Sectorlens GmbH (Potsdam)
The AI-supported platform "Find Your Software", developed in Brandenburg, is a product of the Potsdam start-up Sectorlens, particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. With a single click, a company analysis is conducted, including tailored software selection. The tool combines AI-supported requirement analysis, data-based provider identification, the involvement of all stakeholders, and comprehensive process support in a single application. Informed decisions in the area of enterprise software can be made in the shortest possible time. The product supports the digitalisation of companies.
CanChip GmbH (Potsdam)
CanChip develops tumour-on-chip models that enable realistic tests on human cell models, thereby replacing animal testing in cancer research. The chips accurately replicate the complex microenvironments of tumours and allow for patient-specific tests for personalised therapy. The research and production company based in Potsdam makes an important contribution to cancer treatment and sustainable drug development.