NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur personally inspected Kueppers Solutions GmbH as a showcase company for pioneering technology "made in NRW".
The Minister visited the company, which is based at the Dortmund Centre for Production Technology (ZfP), as part of her "NRW Innovation Tour" together with Wulf-Christian Ehrich, Deputy Managing Director of the Dortmund Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Dirk Stürmer, Managing Director of the TechnologieZentrumDortmund (TZDO).
Minister Mona Neubaur (3rd from right) exchanged ideas with Wulf-Christian Ehrich (2nd from right, IHK), Dirk Stürmer (2nd from left, TZDO) and the Kueppers Solutions team Sonja Schlegel (from left), Marc Stöver, Jens te Kaat and Domenik Prüßmann at the Dortmund Centre for Production Technology. Photo: IHK zu Dortmund / Oliver Schaper
Innovative heat and energy technology
The company, with its roots in the Küppersbusch Group, has been successfully establishing itself on the market under new management since 2017. With its highly innovative products in the field of heating and energy technology, it makes a decisive contribution to strengthening competitiveness and the future viability of the economy. One focus is on the development of energy-efficient solutions and the reduction of CO2 emissions through the use of renewable energy sources.
"The development of innovative and sustainable products and processes is a key success factor for the competitiveness of our business location. We have a lot to offer - even in difficult economic times. Right now, we need to invest more in order to get back on a growth path and master the transformation," emphasised Minister Neubaur.
Special support for innovative companies
She spoke with the management and employees of Kueppers Solutions about current challenges and discussed possible solutions and support. The aim of the state government is to create innovation-friendly framework conditions that particularly support innovative companies. The NRW Innovation Tour is organised in cooperation with the chambers of industry and commerce.
Industrial burner can be operated with hydrogen and natural gas
"We are very pleased about the minister's visit and see it as recognition of our successful work," said Kueppers Solutions Managing Director Jens te Kaat. Indeed, the successes speak for themselves: in 2023, the company made considerable progress in research and development, particularly with the iRecu dual burner, which can be operated with both hydrogen and natural gas.
Pioneer in the development of environmentally friendly technologies
This burner, which was nominated for the German Future Prize, supports the introduction of green hydrogen in industry and offers immediate fuel savings. In addition, Kueppers Solutions 2024 was honoured with the "NRW Innovation Award" in the "innovation2business" category. This emphasises the company's role as a pioneer in the development of environmentally friendly technologies. Here you can find more information about the company.
Maintaining and further expanding innovative strength
However, Jens te Kaat also has expectations of politicians to ensure that this innovative strength is maintained and can even be further expanded. "Our success is only possible if the framework conditions set by politicians are geared towards reality and do not overburden companies."
Wulf-Christian Ehrich agrees with him: "The transformation of the economy is also supported and backed by industrial companies. But this process must be carried out with a sense of proportion so as not to weaken competitiveness," emphasised Wulf-Christian Ehrich, calling for reliable framework conditions from politicians.
