Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) has entered into strategic partnerships with two leading Indian institutions—Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani’s K.K. Birla Goa Campus—to strengthen research in sustainability and the circular economy.
The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on February 5, 2025, at the German Embassy in New Delhi, during the visit of Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour, and Housing for the German state of Baden-Württemberg. She led a high-level delegation to India to reinforce Indo-German cooperation in sustainability, green technologies, and resource efficiency. Senior officials from both governments and representatives from Fraunhofer, IIT Ropar, and BITS Pilani were present at the signing ceremony.
Fraunhofer was represented by Dr. Markus Wolperdinger, Director of Fraunhofer IGB, and Ms. Anandi Iyer, Director of Fraunhofer Office India. IIT Ropar’s delegation included Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Prof. Pushpendra Singh, and Dr. Radhika Trikha from the Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH), while Prof. Srikanth Mutnuri represented BITS Pilani.
Collaboration to Focus on Sustainable Water, Energy, and Climate Solutions
The partnership aims to integrate German expertise in applied research with India’s growing capabilities in technology-driven solutions. It will focus on optimizing the water-energy-food nexus, advancing climate-neutral innovations, and enhancing sustainability through industry-driven research.
Key Focus Areas: Fraunhofer IGB and IIT Ropar
1. Research & Development: Identifying gaps and advancing sustainable technology.
2. Technology Demonstration: Implementing solutions under India’s Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission.
3. Technology Licensing: Enabling large-scale adoption of environmental solutions.
4. Cyber-Physical Systems in Water Management: Utilizing AI, IoT, and automation for smart water infrastructure.
5. Innovation Facilities: Establishing Water Innovation CPS facilities at IIT Ropar.
6. Water Innovation Consortium: Bringing together stakeholders to address critical water-related challenges.
Key Focus Areas: Fraunhofer IGB and BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus
1. Wastewater Treatment: Developing anaerobic membrane reactors for industrial water purification.
2. Biofuels and Aviation Fuels: Exploring sustainable energy alternatives.
3. Lignocellulosic Waste Processing: Enhancing circular economy practices.
4. 3D Bioprinting for Sustainable Materials: Creating biodegradable mushroom-based products.
5. Biorefinery and Bioeconomy: Strengthening research in green technologies.
6. Faculty and Student Exchange Programs: Encouraging academic collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Leaders Highlight the Importance of Indo-German Cooperation
Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut emphasized that these partnerships are critical in addressing global environmental challenges. She highlighted how Fraunhofer’s expertise, combined with India’s technological advancements, would foster solutions benefiting not only both countries but also the broader global community.
Dr. Markus Wolperdinger reaffirmed Fraunhofer IGB’s commitment to sustainable innovation, stressing that the collaboration with IIT Ropar and BITS Pilani would accelerate the development of environmental technologies and GreenTech solutions.
Ms. Anandi Iyer noted Fraunhofer’s 17-year history of engagement with India’s innovation ecosystem and expressed enthusiasm about working with two of the country’s leading institutions on critical sustainability initiatives.
Prof. Rajeev Ahuja described the agreement as a major step toward enhancing research in water sustainability, climate resilience, and smart water infrastructure. Prof. V. Ramagopal Rao, representing BITS Pilani, emphasized that the collaboration would drive advancements in biofuels, biorefinery, and circular economy practices, ultimately contributing to societal and environmental well-being.
Indo-German Scientific Cooperation for a Greener Future
This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in strengthening Indo-German scientific cooperation in sustainability, bioeconomy, and climate innovation. By integrating cutting-edge research with industry-driven solutions, the initiative seeks to develop scalable and impactful technologies that promote resource efficiency and a sustainable future.
