New research campus in Braunschweig: Future of the circular economy!

New research campus in Braunschweig: Future of the circular economy!

On August 22, 2025, the Technical University of Braunschweig marked an important milestone with the laying of the foundation stone of the Center for Circular Production of Next Batteries and Fuel Cells (CPC) at the Research Airport Braunschweig. The construction work, which began on August 18, is part of a project worth around 73 million euros. Around 150 scientists will work on circular production and recycling processes for batteries and fuel cells from 2027. This project contributes to strengthening the regional association BLB+, which is dedicated to the sustainable energy transition. This is particularly important because the transition from linear to circular recycling systems is necessary in order to conserve resources and promote sustainability Fraunhofer emphasized.

In addition, the research platform “H2-iNFFra” for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies was presented on August 21st. This initiative is a cooperation between the TU Braunschweig and the Fraunhofer IST, which aims to build a new H₂ infrastructure. At the start of this collaboration, Science Minister Falko Mohrs handed over funding notices totaling around 4.3 million euros. Such investments are crucial to advance the circular economy, which aims to reduce waste and optimize resource consumption, such as BMFTR highlights.

Innovations in science

As part of the promotion of innovation at TU Braunschweig, students in the Deep Learning Lab develop creative approaches to the comprehensibility of decisions made by artificial intelligence. These projects have received awards and demonstrate the university's commitment to current technological challenges. The “Summer School on Nonlinear Optimization and Combinatorics” will also take place from August 28th to September 2nd. This event is aimed at doctoral students, advanced master's students and postdocs who would like to further their education in these innovative areas.

A podcast called “All lost in the supermarket” offers exciting insights into labor market trends. In the latest episode, Knud Ahlborn discusses the topic “Working inside the Engine Room of AI” with former students, which underlines the relevance of AI in the future world of work.

Events and engagement

A scoping workshop on science communication brought together around 30 international researchers to discuss the effects of AI on science and its communication. This exchange is part of an ongoing discourse about the role of technology in society. In addition, the German Germanists' Day at the TU Braunschweig is just around the corner, which will take place from September 14th to 17th and is expected to attract around 600 participants.

For the younger generations, the Hydrogen Campus Salzgitter is organizing a MINT morning for students from the 10th grade on September 22nd to provide insights into hydrogen technologies and the corresponding study opportunities. Such initiatives are important to stimulate interest in science and technology and thus promote talent for the future.

The TU Braunschweig is not only active in research and science communication, but also made books and other works available that can be picked up free of charge in the foyer of the TU building until August 29th. The TU Braunschweig team also won the “City Cycling” competition in the “Universities/Colleges” category with 355 kilometers per person.

The developments at TU Braunschweig are emblematic of the increasing need for circular economic systems that counteract the overproduction crisis and strive for a resource-saving future. Supporting initiatives that drive change is essential to sustainably overcome ecological and economic challenges.