Interview with Franz-Josef von Kempis, Senior Manager for Environment, Technology and Sustainability at the Federation of German Industries and EBAE National Coordinator for Germany
1. The German competition is currently open for applications; can you tell us more about it, and how can German companies enrol?
For the German Innovation Award for Climate and Environment (IKU) industrial companies, business organisations, research institutes or individuals can compete with industrially exploitable innovations that contribute to climate and environmental protection. The applications can be submitted in seven categories until 28 June. See more details below.
2. Germany performed extremely well in the current EBAE cycle, with one Award Winner (Efficient Energy) and two Rising Stars (Baumann Hydrotec and Viessmann Refrigeration Solutions)! Does it suggest that there is a growing attention to the environment in the German way of doing business?
Germany's economy traditionally has a strong industry characterised by medium to small businesses. Increasingly, growing environmental awareness and innovative power are boosting each other in industry. This is also reflected in the successful application projects at the IKU.
3. What advice would you give to a German company thinking about entering EBAE?
I regularly receive inquiries from companies that would like to participate in the EBAE. I then recommend them to apply for one of the IKU prizes first.