Excellent innovative climate research and inspiring model for resource, energy and environmental protection in the raw material-intensive zinc industry: The German Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU) recognizes these services with this year German Environmental Prize Of a total of 500,000 euros, one of the highest -doped environmental awards in Europe. The Swiss climate researcher Prof. Dr. Sonia Isabelle Sinister (51) From the ETH Zurich as well as the management duo Lars Tree girdle (59) and engineer Dr. Birgitt Gang (58) of the steel grant Zinq. The award was on Sunday, October 26th in Europe’s Capital of Culture 2025 Chemnitz. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presents the price.
New findings on the climate system and inspiring model for raw material -intensive industry
The “brilliant climate scientist” Seneviratne has made interactions of soil moisture, vegetation, evaporation and atmosphere in international discourse using satellite image evaluations and “groundbreaking studies on the land-climate dynamics,” said DBU general secretary Alexander Farmer. “This is how we know that evaporation, which on average two thirds of all precipitation back to continents to the atmosphere, plays an important role in dryness and soil moisture is a key variable of the climate system.” Thanks to Seneviratne, “Global climate models take into account factors such as soil moisture, vegetation and evaporation more clearly than before”. One reason: Due to increased drought as a result of climate change, the ecosystem function of land vegetation as a memory for climate -damaging greenhouse gases (THG) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) is in danger. The effect as such a so-called CO2 sink “depends largely on sufficient soil moisture,” said Seneviratne. According to Bonde, tree belts and Bendiek have been “persistent, persistent and with economic daring for decades on the hunt for the last calorie: with their circular business model, both stand for both Circular Economythat is, the comprehensive circular economy, in the focus – from product design to recycling. “This is” inspiring model for a raw material -intensive industry “. From sheets, bridges, bridges and balconies to vehicle construction to wind energy and solar systems – galaries – one of various coating methods – protects steel from rust, around two million tons nationwide, of which is around 550,000 tons every year. At all 50 locations in Europe. World corrosion organization WCO and Max Planck Society Between 100 and 150 billion euros. Without galvanizing the sum would be much higher.
Bonde: Patented microzink process is medium-sized pioneering work
Through various measures from heat recovery to optimized control technology to a patented microzinc procedure, the Gelsenkirchen surface specialists and around 2500 employees at all locations, including around 20 in Germany with around 1000 employees, revolves around circulatory products – from circulatory design to the complete recycling of all raw materials. This also includes a digital circular product pass. “A circular economy for energy and resource-intensive companies is feasible,” Bendiek and tree belt are convinced. The basis for this is raw material-friendly, material-savvy, CO2 arms and circulatory products. For more than ten years, the company has been certifying all the pieces of dip galvanization, including the microzinc procedure, according to the Cradle to Cradle-Ccept based on Five sustainability criteria – Always with the aim of promoting energetic and material transformation. Balance previously: enormous savings of energy and raw material plus reduction in GHG emissions, and around 285,000 tons of CO2 since 2010. Bonde: “Microzink is medium -sized pioneering work.” The patented procedure, also made possible by its own research and development department in the so-called ZINQ Futurium at the Gelsenkirchen location, has 80 percent reduced zinc cover layer of only ten micrometers instead of 80 to 100 micrometers compared to the classic fire decorations. Thinner than a hair.
From IPCC to the national dryness platform: climate protection advanced
According to Bonde’s words, the German Environment Award also recognizes Seneviratnes “outstanding climate protection communication”. In addition, they did not leave it at warnings and appeals, but “advanced with a high level of personal commitment”. In this context, the DBU General Secretary calls Seneviratn’s work on the board of the World climate climate IPCCalso the foundation of the National dryness platformone from the Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climateology (MeteoSchweiz) coordinated early warning system. In times of increasing false reports and conspiracy theories, Seneviratne’s fact -based research does indispensable orientation, according to Bonde. This also includes this knowledge: if the evaporation lacks, extremely dry soils can lead to a strong rise in temperature in the atmosphere. The missing soil moisture then also plays a central role in connection with heat waves.
Background:
The German Environmental Prize of the DBU awarded for the 33rd time in 2025 is characterized by people who contribute to the protection and maintenance of the environment in an exemplary manner. For suggestions to the DBU, employers’ associations, unions, churches, environmental and nature conservation associations, scientific associations, research communities, media, the craft and business associations are justified. Self -suggestions are not possible. A jury from business, science, technology and social groups appointed by the DBU curatorium recommends the DBU board of prize winners for the respective year. The DBU curatorium makes the final decision. Information about the German Environmental Prize and excellent: https://www.dbu.de/umweltpreis