The "IGF Project of the Year" 2025 has been announced. Experts from across Germany selected the winning innovation project in battery research from three finalists. The vote was the highlight of the conference promoting innovation through the "Industrial Collective Research" (IGF) program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), held today in Berlin. This year marks the first time the BMWK has awarded this recognition.

With the "IGF Project of the Year," the BMWK acknowledges the crucial role of innovative research, especially for SMEs. Out of 23 submitted IGF projects, leading representatives from scientific and economic review committees selected three finalists. From these, the congress audience chose the winning project through a live vote.

About the IGF Project of the Year:

The project "Functional Coating of Battery Powders," submitted by the European Research Association for Thin Films (EFDS), was named the winner. At a time when sustainable energy solutions are becoming increasingly important, innovative functional coating of battery powders provides new approaches to optimizing battery performance and lifespan. In addition to improved conductivity and reactivity, thermal stability is also enhanced, making increased safety a crucial aspect of this innovative coating.

In addition to the winning project, the two other nominated initiatives were also recognized:

• "Electrodynamic antifouling coating for optical surfaces of ships and marine technology", submitted by the Research Association for Shipbuilding and Marine Technology e.V.

• "Increasing productivity and flat film quality by preventing deposit formation on cooling rollers", submitted by the Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University. This project utilizes an optical inspection system for early detection and prevention of deposit formation, leading to higher efficiency and improved product quality.

Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary and SME Commissioner of the Federal Government, congratulated the winners: "I congratulate the IGF Project of the Year 2025! Industrial Collective Research impresses with its variety of research projects and topics. It shows what is possible when small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and research institutions in Germany collaborate on innovation. With this new competition, we aim to further increase the visibility of innovations across all industries. This year's winning project represents the approximately 400 other research initiatives that BMWK supports annually."

The BMWK, through the IGF program, provides SMEs with easy access to practical research without requiring financial contributions from them. SMEs can actively shape research topics, help steer projects, and benefit from the results, which are published and made publicly available.