A new name for current research questions: Renaming of the Max Planck Institute in Düsseldorf
Ceremony on 16 April with the Minister for Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, Ina Brandes, the Lord Mayor of Düsseldorf, Stephan Keller, and the President of the Max Planck Society, Patrick Cramer
How can we produce and recycle materials for more than 8 billion people while protecting our planet? How can we produce CO2-free steel, create new high-tech materials from waste and develop advanced batteries?
Founded in 1917, the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung has undergone a massive transformation. From a pioneer in metallurgy to one of the world's leading research institutes in the field of sustainable materials for energy, mobility, infrastructure, manufacturing and medicine. In keeping with that transformation, the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung is now becoming the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials.
On 16 April 2024, the Max Planck Institute in Düsseldorf celebrated its renaming with 200 guests, including Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf's Lord Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller and Prof. Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society.
Minister Ina Brandes: "The renaming of the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung in Institute for Sustainable Materials expresses the dawn of a new era. The tranformation of entire production chains towards a climate-neutral society will only succeed with excellent basic scientific work and the courageous transfer of research into economic practice. North Rhine-Westphalia as a centre of science and industry will benefit greatly from this. I am certain that a healthy, sustainable metals industry will continue to contribute to prosperity and social security for the people of North Rhine-Westphalia.
"The Max Planck Institute is embedded in the broad university landscape in Düsseldorf and the region and is a unique location for non-university research," says Lord Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller. "Its research results and impulses are also of great value beyond the borders of Düsseldorf. The renaming of the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung to Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials will make a significant contribution to strengthen Düsseldorfs local economy and position it in international competition."
"Climate change and securing our livelihoods are among the greatest challenges facing humanity today," says Max Planck President Patrick Cramer. "The Max Planck Society is working to be a part of the solution to these challenges. Today's reorientation of the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung towards sustainable materials research symbolizes our efforts. The Max Planck Society is once again demonstrating its commitment to scientific and social developments.”
"Metals, semiconductors and many other materials are the backbone of global society. Without them, there would be no apartments, no mobile phones, no mobility or infrastructure - in short, no society as we know it today. At the same time, their production and use are largely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. This is the problem we tackle here at the Max Planck Institute: How can we create a new, sustainable industrial base in a short timespan? The current renaming reflects our shifted focus and our work on the fundamental questions of a modern and sustainable industrial society," explains Prof. Dierk Raabe, Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials.
Among the 200 guests were numerous representatives from politics, research and industry.
More photos on request.
Author: Yasmin Ahmed Salem
