Excursion to the Cement Industry in Brandenburg: Students gain Practical Insights at CEMEX 23.05.2025
On Friday, 23rd May 2025, the Chair of Decarbonization and Transformation of Industry (DTI) organized an exciting field trip to the cement manufacturer CEMEX's production facility in Rüdersdorf near Berlin. Around 40 students from various study programs participated in this excursion, which is offered as part of the interdisciplinary English Module "Communication of Science and Technology”. During a comprehensive technical tour, students gained exclusive insights into the manufacturing processes of cement – a key, yet climate-politically challenging, building material.
In Summer Semester 2025, the module focused on "Decarbonization and Sustainability Transformation in the German Cement Industry" as topic for project work.Students are tasked with developing science communication videos and group presentations on this topic for various target groups – from children to political decision-makers. The excursion not only enabled participating students to gain in-depth insights into current transformation processes in the cement industry, it furthermore offered them the opportunity to collect video and audio materials for their science communication videos and group presentations. Last but not least, BTU students had the opportunity to engage directly with industry representatives during the excursion to CEMEX.
Guest Lecture “Environmental Assessment in the Process Industry” by Dr. Florian Keller 22.05.2025
On 22nd May, the Chair of Decarbonization and Transformation of Industry (DTI) at Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) is pleased to host Dr.-Ing. Florian Keller, Deputy Head of the Technology Assessment Division at the Institute of Energy Process Engineering & Chemical Engineering (IEC), TU Bergakademie Freiberg – one of the leading R&D organizations in Europe in the field of circular carbon technologies – for a guest lecture on the fundamentals of environmental assessment in the process industry, with focus on fields of application and research aspects.
Dr. Keller completed his Ph.D. on the topic of life cycle assessment of chemical recycling processes. As a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Chair of Energy Process Technology (EVT) at IEC, he has extensive experience in the modelling and evaluation of innovative processes in the field of chemical process engineering. He also teaches modules on technology assessment and process chain modelling at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
The guest lecture by Dr. Keller was offered as a session in the module 14132 “Multidimensional Approaches for Technology Assessment” which is offered by DTI in the summer semester.
Guest Lecture “The Road to Decarbonization at the Cement Plant Rüdersdorf” by CEMEX 22.05.2025
On 22nd May, the Chair of Decarbonization and Transformation of Industry (DTI) hosted Annett Heibel, Stakeholder Relationship Specialist at CEMEX Deutschland AG for a guest lecture on the sustainability transformation of CEMEX, a leading cement producer in Germany. Ms. Heibel has extensive industry experience in public relations for infrastructure projects, acceptance and permitting. In her guest lecture, she provided insights into actual and future decarbonization projects at the cement plant Ruedersdorf including:
- conventional technologies the cement plant has applied to reduce emissions;
- avoidable, fuel-related emissions vs. unavoidable, process- related emissions;
- most essential raw materials and fuels used in a cement plant;
- how limestone is the root cause of the industry’s CO2 burden;
- new technologies promising the production of CO2-neutral cement by 2030 (i.e., carbon capture & storage vs. carbon capture & utilization).
Additionally, Andreas Brandt from the eLearning Team of the Multimediazentrum @ BTU shared overview of the multimedia facilities at the IKMZ which students could potentially utilize to support their development of science communication materials as part of the module 13234 “Communication o+f Science and Technology” which is offered by DTI in the summer semester.
NK2 Workshop on Biomass Resource for the Chemical Industry 21.05.2025
On 21st May, the NK2 Network organized a workshop focusing on the role of biomass resources for the transformation of the chemical industry. The workshop took place at the German Biomass Research Center (in German: Deutsches Biomasse Forschungszentrumv) in Leipzig with over 30 participants. Following an introduction on the trends of biomass-to-products by Prof. Martin Gräbner from IEC, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Michael Carus from nova-Institut shared insights from their recent studies on the availability of biomass for decarbonizing the chemical sector by 2050. Diverse biomass gasification technology providers, ranging from Blue Energy Group AG, ReGaWatt Gmbh, Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies Gmbh (BEST), also presented their technology and innovations. Additionally, Mercer Rosenthal spoke about the carbon potential in cellulose and paper industry, while DBFZ presented the role of biomass as a renewable carbon resource for renewable refinery processes. A technical tour of DBFZ's extensive pilot facilities for biomass conversion and upgrading concluded the workshop.
Presentation during the General Meeting of the Förderverein der Brandenburgischen Technischen Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg e.V. 19.05.2025
On 19th May, Prof. Lee was invited to share about her research activities during the general meeting of the BTU Förderverein (in English: Foundation) with the Foundation members. In her presentation about the decarbonization of carbon-intensive industries in Brandenburg, she highlighted the key role of science communication as an enabler for the successful transfer from research to practice/industry.
CDI Workshop Series “Future Thinkings” – Workshop 4 @ Ellery Studio 14.05.025
On 14th May, Prof. Lee, together with over 15 CDI partners from science and industry, participated in the final event of the CDI Workshop Series “Future Thinkings” at Ellery Studio. During this workshop, participants had the chance for additional hands-on practice with diverse future research methods. They also critically reflected on the transferability of lessons learnt over the course of the workshop series for their organizations and activities. This workshop rounds up this inaugural CDI Workshop Series, whose objectives is to expose CDI partners to a range of methodologies from technology assessment (e.g., multidimensional STEEP approach) and future research (e.g., Horizon scanning, scenario method, back-casting, …) to support their decision processes for decarbonization and transformation towards sustainability.
Exchanges with India Delegation in Cottbus at the PtX Lab Lausitz 09.05.2025
On 9th May, the Competence Center on Climate Change Mitigation in Energy-Intensive Industries (KEI) and the Cluster Decarbonization in Industries (CDI) hosted a high ranking Indian delegation at the PtX Lab Lausitz. The delegation is visiting Germany to learn more about the alternative transformation pathways for decarbonization in the German industry, as well as the advances it has made in its decarbonization of energy intensive industries. Prof. Lee was invited to contribute a short presentation about her R&D activities as Endowed Chair of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), as well as her international collaboration with partners from science and industry e.g., from China, Singapore and India to support Asia’s transition towards carbon neutrality and circularity.
Guest lecture on “Technology Assessment in an Engineering Context” by Prof. Martin Gräbner 08.05.2025
On 8th May, the Chair of Decarbonization and Transformation of Industry (DTI) hosted Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Gräbner – Director of the Institute of Energy Process Engineering & Chemical Engineering (IEC) and Professor for Energy Process Engineering at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg as well as Division Head (Freiberg – Circular Carbon Technologies) for Energy and Process Engineering at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS – for a guest lecture on methods for the technological assessment of innovations and technologies.
Prof. Gräbner researches, develops and optimizes new processes for the energy and raw material transition. His R&D focus is on the creation of closed carbon cycles using renewable energies. This includes in particular the chemical recycling of residual materials (especially plastics), the production of synthetic raw materials and fuels (e.g. e-fuels) and the thermochemical production of hydrogen (e.g. from biogenic waste). His aim is the basic development of technologies up to industrial scale at the interface between plant engineering, the energy industry, waste management, the chemical industry, and metallurgy.
Before his appointment as Professor at IEC, he was Scientific Director at Air Liquide and was responsible for managing the global R&D strategy for exploratory projects and competence development in the field of syngas production, metal, cement, glass and CO2 capture. He was also Air Liquide’s delegate at the World Economic Forum for Waste Processing in the Low-Carbon Emission Technologies initiative. During his nine years at Air Liquide, he was based at the Frankfurt Innovation Campus (Germany) and had short-term assignments in China. Prof. Gräbner was recognized as Air Liquide’s International Senior Expert for gasification.
Prof. Gräbner shared his insights and expertise on methods for assessing technologies in an engineering context during the guest lecture. This session was offered as part of the module 14132 “Multidimensional Approaches for Technology Assessment” by DTI in the summer semester 2025.
Technical Visit to REPSOL Technology Lab in Madrid, Spain 07.05.2025
On 7th May, Prof. Roh Pin Lee from the Chair of Decarbonization and Transformation of Industry visited REPSOL’s Technology Lab in Madrid together with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Gräbner from the Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering (IEC) at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. Besides a technical tour of REPSOL’s extensive pilot plant facilities, they also engaged REPSOL’s experts in technical exchanges to gain a better understanding of their diverse R&D activities to support REPSOL’s sustainability transformation. One focus of their discussion is REPSOL’s Ecoplanta project – the first circular methanol plant in Spain for non-recyclable municipal waste recovery.
Climate Brunch on “Sustainable Innovation and Transparent Reporting as Drivers for Future-Oriented Administration” at Ernst & Young 06.05.2025
On 6th May, Anouk Kruschinski from the Chair of Decarbonization and Transformation of Industry (DTI) took part in a Climate Brunch in Berlin, which was organized by the consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY). The event was aimed at stakeholders in the public sector who have a particular responsibility due to their role model function in contributing to Germany's transformation towards climate neutrality.
Joanna Mielewczyk from the sustainability team at EY organized and moderated the event, which primarily served as a platform for the exchange of experiences regarding sustainability strategies.
The guests included sustainability managers from Autobahn GmbH, Bundesdruckerei and Toll Collect GmbH. The representatives of the first two organizations gave short presentations on their experiences in the areas of innovation and transparent reporting. Finally, representatives from EY shared insights into the challenges and motivations of climate neutrality of their clients in the private sector. The event ended with small group discussions at the lunch table.
Guest Lectures & Panel Discussion on “Multidimensional Perspectives on Industrial Decarbonization and the Transformation Towards Climate-Neutral Industry” with CEMEX and KEI 24.04.2025
The Chair of Decarbonization and Transformation of Industry (DTI) at Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) hosted Alexandra Decker (Chief Officer Corporate Affairs) from CEMEX, as well as Dr. Chiara Iurato (Think Tank Consultant at the Competence Center on Climate Change Mitigation in Energy-Intensive Industries/KEI) as guest speakers and panelists in a special session at the IKMZ on 24th April 2025.
Ms. Alexandra Decker is primarily responsible for the strategic development of stakeholder relationships concerning relevant political and socio-economic issues at CEMEX. Besides advocating for the decarbonization of the company’s cement production, she also addresses future trends in sustainable construction. In her talk “Applying the STEEP Framework to Industrial Decarbonization: The Case of CCUS in the Cement Sector”, she provided the industry’s perspective on the goals and challenges for decarbonization technologies. In particularly, through the STEEP lens (Social, Technological, Economic, Ecological, Political), she explored the strategic role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries, using the cement sector as a case study.
Dr Chiara Iurato work focuses on the development of standards and labels for climate-friendly basic materials. In her talk “The role of industrial policy in the transformation to a climate-neutral industry”, she took the audience through the different working areas of KEI as a starting point to reflect on the role of industry policy and the opportunities of different policy instruments in Germany for the country’s transition towards a climate-neutral industry.
Following the two guest lectures, Prof. Roh Pin Lee moderated a panel discussion with Ms. Decker and Dr. Iurato to gain deeper insights into the multidimensional opportunities and challenges which are associated with the decarbonization and sustainability transformation of carbon-intensive and hard-to-abate sectors in Germany. Students who participated in this session also actively engaged the panelists in dialogue during the panel discussion.
This session - incorporating the guest lectures by CEMEX and KEI as well as the panel discussion – is offered as part of the module 14132 “Multidimensional Approaches for Technology Assessment” by DTI in the summer semester.
Technical Tour of EIZ-Labs at the BTU 23.04.2025
On 23rd April 2025, together with colleagues from the departments Project Sponsorship, Think Tank as well as Cluster Decarbonization in the Industries (CDI) from the Competence Center on Climate Change Mitigation in Energy Intensive Industries (KEI), the DTI Team visited 5 labs (i.e., AEM electrolysis lab, Oxyfuel engine test bench, catalyst development lab, HPGC lab as well as the virtual reality lab) to gain first-hand impressions of innovative developments for the energy transition at the BTU.
CDI Workshop Series “Future Thinkings” – Workshop 2 @ BTU 08.-09.04.2025
On 8th and 9th April, Prof. Lee hosted the second workshop in the CDI (Cluster Decarbonization in Industries) Workshop Series “Future Thinkings” – together with the workshop organizer Ellery Studio and the CDI – at the BTU IKMZ. About 20 CDI partners participated in this workshop. To kick-off the event on 8th April, Prof. Uwe Riedel – Director of the DLR Institute for Low Carbon Industrial Processes – provided an overview of DLR’s research focuses and activities in Cottbus, before leading the participants on a technical tour to DLR’s pilot plant CoBra (reverse Brayton High Temperature Heat Pump), an innovative technology developed to support the transition in the industrial heating sector.
On the afternoon of 8th April, Prof. Lee used the example of chemical recycling to illustrate how the STEEP (Socio-Technological-Economical-Ecological-Political) approach could support a multidimensional evaluation of opportunities and challenges for the transformation of the carbon-intensive chemical and waste sectors. Following her presentation, workshop participants had the chance – via a World Café Format – to try their hands on using the STEEP approach for a systemic and structured identification of multidimensional aspects associated with the decarbonization of the German industry. After this group activity, Ellery Studio transferred the STEEP analysis to scenarios and showed how STEEPfactors identified could be structured across an Impact-Uncertainty-Matrix. On the second day of the workshop, participants also practiced how to transfer the insights from the previous day to construct scenarios by themselves.
New Publication: Journal Article in Technology in Society on Public Attitudes towards Gasification Technologies in the UK, Germany and China and their Susceptibility to the Nast Effect 03.04.2025
New publication “Public attitudes towards gasification technologies in the UK, Germany and China and their susceptibility to the Nasty Effect” by Prof. Lee together with co-authors Dr. Chris Jones and Dr. Daphne Kaklamanou from the University of Portsmouth, UK. This article comparatively evaluates how public perception and attitudes towards gasification technology – an established technology for coal but an emerging technology for waste – differ in the three countries assessed, and whether public perception and attitudes are susceptible to the “nasty effect”. The publication is available under https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102891
Exchanges with Pupils at the Future Day @ BTU 03.04.2025
At the Future Day @ BTU on 3rd April, Prof. Lee gave a talk on “Plastic Waste – Resource or Fuel?” to pupils who visited BTU to find out more about the university and its research activities. During the interactive session, the pupils had the chance to find out more about how plastic is being produced from conventional fossil resource (i.e., oil), how plastic waste is currently being disposed of in Germany, and what are alternative routes for producing plastics from sustainable sources and also for its recycling.
Joint Meeting between DTI and KEI Think Tank 02.04.2025
Since 1st April, two new research associates – Franziska Kusche and Anouk Kruschinski – have joined the team at DTI to support the teaching and research activities at the Chair. On 2nd April, the new DTI team members are being introduced to the colleagues from the Think Tank division of KEI (Competence Center on Climate Change Mitigation in Energy-Intensive Industries) to further intensify the exchanges between DTI and KEI Think Tank.
Technical Exchanges and Site Tour of IEC, TU Bergakademie Freiberg with Felix Schöller 31.03.2025
On 31st March, Prof. Lee visited the Institute for Energy Process Engineering & Chemical Engineering (IEC), TU Bergakademie Freiberg together with colleagues from Felix Schöller for technical exchanges on alternative recycling processes for waste streams from the paper industry. The colleagues from Felix Schöller also used the opportunity for a technical tour of IEC’s lab, bench-scale and pilot facilities.
Jury Meeting for the Innovation Competition Energie.IN.NRW 19.-20.03.2025
From 19th to 20th March, over 15 scientific experts – including Prof. Lee – came together for the jury meeting for the 2025 Innovation Competition Energie.IN.NRW. Objective was to evaluate funding applications for their funding worthiness and eligibility and make recommendations for shortlisted projects under the “Innovations for the energy systems of the future, a climate-neutral industry, and climate- and resource-friendly construction within the framework of the ERDF/JTF NRW program 2021-2027”.
Technical Exchanges and Site Tour of IEC, TU Bergakademie Freiberg with REPSOL 05.03.2025
On 5th March, Prof. Lee visited the Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering (IEC) at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg together with colleagues from REPSOL – a Spanish multinational energy and petrochemical company – for technical exchanges as well as a site visit of IEC’s laboratory, bench-scale and pilot scale facilities for thermochemical conversion and chemical recycling.
Climate Guide Brandenburg: Panel discussion with Prof. Roh Pin Lee from BTU 28.02.2025
Who researches what? This question is now answered by the Brandenburg Climate Guide. It summarises all the climate protection-related activities of research institutions in the state. The publication was accompanied by a panel discussion in which Prof. Roh Pin Lee from BTU also took part. Prof. Lee had previously given the keynote speech.
In 2024, the state adopted an overall strategy for climate neutrality and sustainability with its climate plan. This has now been supplemented by the Brandenburg Climate Guide, which provides an overview of the research institutions' activities relevant to climate protection. It is intended to serve as a guide for stakeholders from politics, administration, business and society in their search for scientific contacts when designing and implementing climate protection measures.
"Climate guide is a central element of the climate plan"
Dr Friederike Haase, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection, opened the event to present the publication on 28 February 2025 at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam. She said: "The climate guide is a central element of the climate plan and therefore of the state government's overall climate policy strategy. It creates transparency and not only enables faster and better networking between stakeholders from business and science. The climate guide will help to ensure that innovative solutions are put into practice more quickly and thus also accelerate the transformation. The Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region has an outstanding scientific landscape and we need science, politics, business, administration and society to work together to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. The climate guide is another step in the right direction."
Keynote speech and panel discussion with Prof. Roh Pin Lee from BTU
After the opening, Prof. Roh Pin Lee from BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg gave the keynote speech on the topic: "Decarbonisation of carbon-intensive industry in Brandenburg". This was followed by a panel discussion in which the question "How can science and practice work together effectively to implement the Brandenburg Climate Plan?" was discussed. Tobias Dünow (State Secretary in the Brandenburg Ministry of Science, Research and Culture), Prof. Dr Hermann Lotze-Campen (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, board chairperson of the Brandenburg Scientific Climate Council), Prof. Dr Roh Pin Lee (BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, member of the Brandenburg Scientific Climate Council), Michael Knape (Mayor of Treuenbrietzen/ Energy and Climate Protection/ Economic Development), Prof. Dr Sophia Becker (RIFS Potsdam (member of the Brandenburg Scientific Climate Council)) engaged in lively discussions. The event was moderated by Julia Miosga ("Die Digitallandschaftsgärtnerin").
BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg in the Brandenburg Climate Guide
The Brandenburg Climate Guide is divided into ten subject areas: (1) Energy and hydrogen, (2) Building, housing and heating, (3) Climate-neutral economy and industry, waste and recycling management, (4) Transport and mobility, (5) Agriculture and food, (6) Land use, forestry and sink effect, (7) Bioeconomy, (8) Greenhouse gas-neutral state administration, municipal climate protection and climate governance, (9) Citizen participation, climate education and sustainable consumption and (10) Climate system research.
On the BTU side, the Energy Innovation Centre (EIZ) and the DLR e.V. - Institute for Low-Carbon Industrial Processes, Simulation and Virtual Design department are listed in topic area 1. In topic area 2, the Infrastructure and Mobility Planning Chair at the Institute of Urban Planning is presented and in topic area 3, Prof. Lee's Decarbonisation and Transformation of Industry at the Faculty of Business, Law and Society.
Also available under https://www.b-tu.de/en/news/article/28471-climate-guide-brandenburg-panel-discussion-with-prof-roh-pin-lee-from-btu
Meeting with EWI Network Members from Wacker Chemie, ERVIN and KRONOSPAN for Exchanges on Science Communication Materials by BTU Students focusing on the Meissen Region 27.02.2025
Rounding up their collaboration as part of the “Communication of Science & Technology” module in the WS 2024/2025, members of the EWI Network (Energy and Hydrogen Alliance in the Meißen Industrial Arc) namely M. Slomic from Wacker Chemie, R. Spandler from ERVIN, and J. Pfeiffer from KRONOSPAN visited Prof. Lee at the BTU for exchanges about the science communication activities by the BTU students. Specifically, as part of the module, BTU students were tasked with developing short 2min science communication videos and also a 10min group presentation focusing on opportunities and challenges associated with the transformation of the Meissen region from the perspectives of young adults. The creative products by BTU students provided EWI Network partners valuable insights into aspects of the Meissen regions which are viewed as push and pull factors from the perspective of potential future skilled workers.
Exchanges with the Institute of Philosophy and Social Sciences during the Network Meeting of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the BTU 26.02.2025
On 26th February, the Institute of Philosophy and Social Sciences (IPSS) hosted 11 Humboldt scholars for exchanges during Network Meeting of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the BTU. Besides 5 short presentations by Humboldt Scholars from Brasil, Kenya, UK and USA sharing their work and research focuses during their stay at host universities in Germany, the three Professors at IPSS – Prof. Roh Pin Lee from the Chair of Decarbonization & Transformation of Industry, Prof. Melanie Jäger-Erben from the Chair of Sociology of Technology & the Environment, as well as Prof. Astrid Schwarz from the Chair of Technoscience Studies – also used the opportunity to share about their R&D activities to provide the international scholars insights into their activities especially in the areas of decarbonization and sustainability transformation.
CDI (Cluster Decarbonization in Industries) Strategy Meeting 18.02.2025
On 18th February, the Steering Committee members – namely Prof. Mario Ragwitz and Dr. Thorsten Spillmann (Fraunhofer IEG), Prof. Uwe Riedel (DLR Institute of Low-Carbon Industrial Processes), Jakob Fletcher (Competence Center on Climate Change Mitigation in Energy-Intensive Industries/KEI) and Prof. Roh Pin Lee from the BTU Cottbus – came together with the CDI team for a review of past activities in 2024 as well as a discussion of planned activities in 2025 and ideas for the further development of the CDI network.
Kick-off Workshop of CDI’s “Futures Thinking” Workshop Series in Ellery Studio 16.01.2025
On 16th January 2025, the kick-off event of the “Futures Thinking” Workshop Series by the Cluster Decarbonisation in Industries (CDI) took place in Ellery Studio in Berlin. Focus of the workshop series is on alternative strategies and methods for evaluating possible futures/routes for decarbonizing Germany’s industries. Over 20 CDI partners took part in the first workshop which utilized a highly interactive approach incorporating both small group discussions and joint brainstorming. Drawing on their personal experiences as well as diverse developments in their sectors, the dynamic discussions amongst participants from industry, science and associations enabled multifaceted and practical insights into the trends and factors which are influencing and/driving industrial transformation today, as well as associated opportunities and challenges.
In the next workshop, participants will delve deeper into methods for evaluating alternative futures/routes for decarbonization. The workshop series is conceptualized and organized by Ellery Studio and scientifically accompanied by Prof. Roh Pin Lee (BTU) on behalf of CDI.
More information under: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cluster-dekarbonisierung-industrie_in-der-inspirierenden-atmosph%C3%A4re-des-berliner-activity-7287090880081977344-YytM/?utm_source=social_share_sheet&utm_medium=member_desktop_web