Innovative Technologies for Resource Efficiency - Resource-Intensive Production Processes (r²)

Using resources more intelligently and efficiently is a basic way to help safeguard Germany as an industrial producer. Particularly in economically difficult times, a high degree of resource efficiency will strengthen German industry's position as a global competitor. Alongside this economic significance, conserving resources is also important ecologically. For this reason, the German government's national sustainability strategy has set the target of doubling resource productivity by the year 2020 compared to 1994.

This is why the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting the development of innovative efficiency technologies in its High-Tech Strategy and the German Government´s raw materials strategy. The support programme "Innovative Technologies for Resource Efficiency – resource-intensive production processes" focuses on resource-dependent industries with a high use of raw materials because the largest leverage can be achieved here. Among others, these include the chemical industry, metal and steel making as well as the production of construction materials. As well as the raw materials which are used in high quantities, strategically important ones are also considered such as titanium, indium or ruthenium, which are irreplaceable for high-tech technologies.