12. June 2020

LaNDER³ once again brings millions in funding to Upper Lusatia

The start-up phase of the partnership was successfully evaluated and is also being funded by the BMBF in the intensification phase.

Green plastic particles fly out of a machine
Photo: Tobias Ritz The thematic focus of the highly interdisciplinary partnership is on material, energy and process chains relating to natural fiber-reinforced plastics.

On May 20, shortly before 6:00 p.m., Prof. Dr. Jens Weber, on behalf of the LaNDER³ team, received an email from the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)—with good news! The initial phase of the LaNDER³ collaborative project received a positive evaluation and was recommended for continued funding. When the four-year start-up phase ends in December 2020 and the intensification phase begins in 2021, the BMBF will provide an additional €4,800,000 as a planning budget through the end of 2024.

A look back: In 2016, the HSZG, with the LaNDER³ collaborative project, was selected as one of 10 universities of applied sciences out of 80 other applications and was thus the only East German university of applied sciences to receive funding under the BMBF’s “Strong Universities of Applied Sciences – Impulse for the Region” (FH-Impuls).

The overarching goal of LaNDER³ is to establish a vibrant network rooted in the Lausitz region with the aim of holistic materials and technology development centered on natural fiber-reinforced plastics (NFK).

LaNDER3 stands for: Lausitz Natural Fiber Composites, Decentralized Energy, Raw Materials, Resources, Recycling. Living and producing at the industrial level of the 21st century with what nature has to offer - natural fibers, biopolymers, circular economy and renewable energies - this is how the project stakeholders see the future. In line with this vision, the first years of the start-up phase were used to work on research projects, establish a new network, anchor it locally and nationally and make it visible.

The LaNDER³ partnership is based at HSZG and is strengthened through collaborations with regional and national companies, as well as associations, organizations, and academic partners. It pools technical expertise, brings together stakeholders from business, academia, and society, conducts research and breaks new ground, thereby providing impetus for the region and the university.

The thematic focus of this highly interdisciplinary partnership—centered on material, energy, and process chains related to natural-fiber-reinforced plastics—will essentially remain the same during the intensification phase beginning in 2021, though it will be expanded to include topics such as consumables and additive manufacturing. Many of the partners who have supported and actively shaped the partnership to date will remain part of the LaNDER³ consortium. New partners are also coming on board—several additional institutions have pledged their support.

The collaboration already underway with the transfer network of the five Saxon universities of applied sciences (Saxony⁵), which is also funded by the BMBF as part of the “Innovative University” funding program, is to be continued synergistically during the intensification phase.

Prof. Dr. Jens Weber is optimistic about the future:

“

"Thanks to the LaNDER³ partnership, the Zittau/Görlitz research location has visibly increased its scientific potential and significance as a driver of innovation for the region. LaNDER3 offers support for the structural change in Lausitz and, together with traditional companies and start-ups, opens up new innovative business areas and products, which should ultimately also be reflected in new jobs. The partnership makes a direct contribution to environmental and climate protection. Last but not least, it increases the attractiveness of the HSZG for students: Students can participate in the projects as assistants and thus directly link theory and practice. The transfer of the results into teaching makes it lively and up-to-date - and also shows the opportunities offered by the regional economy of Upper Lusatia!"

”
j.weber
Bachelor's degree programs related to LaNDER³

In the interdisciplinary LaNDER³ partnership, university faculty and graduates from a wide variety of disciplines work together. There are thematic overlaps with some of our bachelor’s degree programs, particularly the following:

Interesting facts about LaNDER³

Website LaNDER3

News from the BMBF: Good news for FH-Impuls: All partnerships evaluated positively

Older news items:

Jens Weber
Partnerschaftssprecher
Prof. Dr. rer. nat.
Jens Weber
j.weber(at)hszg.de
Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
02763 Zittau
Külzufer 2
Building Z VI, Room 01
First floor
+49 3583 612-4705
Photo: M.A. Antje Pfitzner
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
M.A.
Antje Pfitzner
a.pfitzner(at)hszg.de
Office of University development and communication
02763 Zittau
Theodor-Körner-Allee 16
Building Z I, Room 1.65
1st floor
+49 3583 612-4560
Office of University development and communication
02763 Zittau
Theodor-Körner-Allee 16
Building Z I, Room 1.65
1st floor
+49 3583 612-3031