“Shaping the future now”: Under this motto, the Innovation Day for SMEs organized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) on June 5 in Berlin impressively demonstrated how German SMEs are actively driving forward technological ideas for the future. Around 300 exhibitors from established SMEs, start-ups and their cooperation partners from business and research presented their innovations in Berlin-Pankow – practical, cross-industry and open to all technologies. Around 1,800 visitors took advantage of the open-air event to exchange ideas, gain inspiration and network.

At the BMWE’s Innovation Day for SMEs, the international ZIM network Environmental Technology and Soil Recultivation (UtBr) was honored for its successful work as “ZIM Network of the Year” and presented with a certificate from the Federal Ministry of Economics (ZIM = Central Innovation Program for SMEs). The “Environmental Technology and Soil Recultivation (UtBr)” network develops innovative solutions for a sustainable and resource-efficient approach to the environment. A particular focus is on the recultivation of contaminated soils, for example in post-mining landscapes. For example, a new type of vegetation mat and the manufacturing technology were developed as part of this network in Lusatia and Brisbane (Australia).

The network is part of the federal program Lusitza Trans Connect (LuTraCo), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics to support structural change in Lusatia after the coal phase-out. It promotes innovations that establish Lusatia as a model region for sustainable transformation.

Technologie- und Innovations Consult GmbH (T+I) acts as a network management facility and supports the implementation of the projects.

About the network and project:
The project partners Nagola Re (Jänschwalde) and Mechakon (Bad Liebenwerda) have developed innovative vegetation mats and the associated production technology with the support of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg in the ZIM project “Green Patch”. Both companies are from the region and have been rooted here for years. The development of a technological solution for Australia and other climate zones was carried out in collaboration with the University of Queensland and other Australian companies, which aroused both regional and international interest.

This innovation is no coincidence. The idea for the network arose from a targeted analysis: where is our technology and innovation potential and how can we connect the right players in a meaningful way? The network for environmental technology and soil recultivation grew out of this in 2017 – with the aim of combining regional strengths with global challenges. Today, this network is part of an international innovation alliance that shows how local research can lead to marketable products that can be used worldwide.

One outstanding example is the development of vegetation mats, which are capable of reducing urban heat, binding CO₂ and greening areas at risk of erosion – in coal regions such as Lusatia as well as in cities around the world. The German and Australian partners are aiming to develop the market in a regionally coordinated manner.

What T+I Consult does for Lusatia/Net Zero Valley
T+I Consult GmbH’s transformation initiative makes an important contribution to managing structural change: it creates networks, promotes innovation, secures funding and supports companies on their way to market maturity. With the LuTraCo program, another building block has been added to drive development forward – both in terms of the STARK initiative of the state of Brandenburg and with regard to sustainable growth and new jobs in the region.

Prof. Michael Groß, Managing Director of T+I Consult: “These projects impressively demonstrate how regional innovative strength can have a global impact – through collaboration, networking and the courage to break new ground. This is a model for the future that we should continue to pursue – for Lusatia and beyond.”
T+I Consult is thus showing a path that, because it is exemplary, can lead to the Net Zero Valley Lusatia perspective.

• Article in the BMWE brochure “ZIM success story”(Link)
• Video “ZIM Network of the Year”(Link)
• More about the ZIM Innovation Network “Environmental Technology and Soil Recultivation”(Link)
• More about the federal program Lusitza Trans Connect (LuTraCo)(Link)

SMEs to be further strengthened via ZIM
Gitta Connemann, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy and Federal Government Commissioner for SMEs, met with numerous entrepreneurs at the Innovation Day. She praised German SMEs as the “creative department of the economy”: “SMEs have every reason to be proud of themselves as the great German success story, but also to be recognized.” Connemann assured that the German government would continue to expand technology-open and low-bureaucracy support for SMEs. “If we don’t make them stronger as a creative department for the future, then our country will be missing a piece of its future.”

On 4 June 2025, the Bundestag’s Budget Committee cleared the way for the release of funds in the “Central Innovation Programme for SMEs” (ZIM) at the suggestion of the BMWE – even before the 2025 federal budget was adopted. This means that ZIM approvals can be resumed promptly.