Projects and Transfer

The training of young academics is essential for the future of science and research. Therefore, the Max Planck Society launched a unique postgraduate training program – the International Max Planck Research Schools. The MPI CEC was able to persist in a highly competitive environment and will thereby be hosting an IMPRS in 2015: The IMPRS-RECHARGE.

The Max Planck-Cardiff Centre Funcat lays the foundations for the systematic development of chemical reaction accelerators.
At the Max Planck-Cardiff Centre on the Fundamentals of Heterogeneous Catalysis (Funcat), three Max Planck Institutes – the MPI for Coal Research, the FHI in Berlin and the MPI CEC – have joined forces with Cardiff University to pursue new avenues in catalyst research, including the use of artificial intelligence.

FUNCAT Website

Active Sites: Elucidation of catalytic centres in aqueous environments
The ACTIVE SITES research centre develops innovative analytical methods to characterise active sites in chemical and biological processes – from energy conversion to water treatment – under real aqueous conditions. This focus is crucial, as many sustainable technologies (e.g. ‘mild’ catalysis) only function efficiently in aqueous media, but understanding of the active sites here is still limited.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration (chemistry, biology, physics, engineering), the centre combines preparation methods with novel measuring cells for ambience and operando analyses. The coupling of complementary instruments thus enables the real-time characterisation of catalysts, biomacromolecules or cell assemblies across different length and time scales.

The Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion is involved in the joint project Carbon2Chem®, a large-scale initiative on climate protection with 17 partners from industry and science. The project aims at turning CO₂ and other gases (Hüttengase) from steel mills into chemicals. Furthermore, renewable energies play a big role. For the conversion of the mentioned gases, plenty of hydrogen is needed. This hydrogen can be won by the means of electrolysis with the help of "green" energy.

The aim is to make CO₂ emissions economically viable and thus achieve a climate-relevant CO₂ saving effect. Prof. Schlögl, director at the MPI CEC and one of the initiators of the project.

The partners from science and industry are building a bridge from basic research to the market with Carbon2Chem®.

Detailed information on the progress of the project and further details can be found at: FONA und Fraunhofer UMSICHT

The Cat(alysis)Lab(aboratory) is a research platform in Berlin for the development of novel catalyst materials, established through the collaboration of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie and the Max Planck Society (Fritz Haber Institute, Berlin and MPI CEC).

CatLab is a start-up project with the aim of developing novel catalysts based on thin-film and nanotechnology. These catalysts are to contribute to the realisation of CO₂-neutral energy systems and the use of renewable electricity as a primary energy source on a global industrial scale. The aim is to build a bridge from basic research to industrial application.

Heterogeneous Oxidation Catalysis in the Liquid Phase

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC/Transregio 247) is located at the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Ruhr-University Bochum. The Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, and the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society are involved in this DFG-funded cooperation. The CRC/TRR 247 aims at bringing heterogeneous oxidation catalysis in the liquid phase to a level of fundamental understanding that is comparable to metal catalysis in the gas phase, i.e. to unravel the nature of the catalytically active sites and the reaction mechanisms. The CRC is divided into different sub-areas and projects.

In a concerted effort, the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the Max Planck Society (MPG) are in the process to develop, install, and operate EMIL (Energy Materials In-Situ Laboratory Berlin), a world-wide unique facility at the BESSY II synchrotron light source. EMIL is a labororatory dedicated to the state-of-the-art synthesis and in-situ and in-operando X-ray analysis of materials and devices for energy conversion and energy storage. Work at EMIL will cover the range from basic and applied material science over technology and prototype development to industrial research.
 

The ETOS future cluster, funded by the BMBF, is working to establish the use of electric current as a chemical reagent in technical applications in order to replace technical manufacturing processes with a sometimes very critical environmental balance and high costs with more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient processes. The electro-synthetic processes are designed in such a way that temporary energy surpluses, which regularly arise during energy generation from wind power or photovoltaics, can be flexibly exploited for the processes – thus preventing potential negative environmental effects that would be conceivable through the use of larger amounts of energy. To make this transformation a reality, the relevant multidisciplinary expertise of key players in the ETOS region (along the German Rhine axis) is to be brought together, fully exploited and strengthened. Currently, more than 20 players from industry and academia are conducting research in this context.

The spokespersons are Prof. Siegfried Waldvogel (spokesperson, MPI CEC) and Prof. Ulrike Krewer (co-spokesperson, KIT). Further information is available on the cluster website.

The project MICat – Electrification and Innovation Through Magnetically Induced Catalysis – is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and coordinated by Dr. Alexis Bordet.

It aims at exploring the potential of magnetically induced catalysis (MICat) as an innovative approach to promote electrification and innovation in the chemical industry. MICat is defined by the application of alternating current magnetic fields (ACMFs) to activate and control catalytic materials. Most interestingly, it provides energy input directly at the catalyst in a localized and quasi-instantaneous manner, potentially opening exciting new opportunities to achieve adaptivity to intermittent electricity supply and enable new reactivities. Through this project, the team wishes to evaluate in particular the potential of MICat to enable effective energy management, novel reaction pathways and processes, the decoupling of local and bulk equilibria, and improved catalyst performance and stability.

The established manufacturing processes for nitrogen-containing heterocycles are mostly based on 60-year-old synthesis concepts and require the use of a number of highly toxic and potentially explosive reagents. With the help of novel electrosynthesis, these challenges can be circumvented by generating the necessary reactive intermediates in situ using electricity.

The NEONHET project of MPI CEC and Fraunhofer IGB aims to research and establish such novel electrochemical synthesis routes to these very common and technically relevant nitrogen heterocycles, such as pyrazoles, triazoles, tetrazoles, pyridines, pyrimidines, oxazinones, and diazepines. This generally avoids the use of free hydrazines, azides, and metal-based reagents, resulting in completely novel and more sustainable synthesis approaches. 

The pooling of the R&D expertise of Max Planck and Fraunhofer allows the entire research chain to be mapped in a complementary manner – from novel heterocyclic synthesis to a technically relevant and robust process with a valid purification strategy. Synthesis routes are prioritized according to the safe-by-design principle.

SFB 1633 aims to promote new strategies for redox catalysis as a key method for sustainable chemical synthesis and energy conversion based on renewable and chemically inert starting materials (CO₂, O₂, H₂O, N₂, biomass). To this end, the projects focus on a physical-chemical phenomenon that controls the energetics and selectivity of redox transformations of these substrates: the thermodynamic and/or kinetic coupling of proton and electron transfer, known as proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET).

Detailed information is available on the website of the University of Göttingen.

Power2X: Industrial scaling of sustainable e-fuels and polymers

The Kopernikus P2X project is developing power-to-X technologies for converting renewable electricity into storable energy sources and chemical raw materials. The current phase focuses on synthetic e-kerosene for aviation – a key sector for climate neutrality that cannot be electrified – and on the production of CO₂-based polymers from renewable electricity.

In the Kopernikus projects on the energy transition, solutions for restructuring the energy system are being developed through joint efforts by science, industry and civil society. The Kopernikus projects offer the opportunity to jointly develop approaches that lead to energy efficiency and innovative ideas.

Prof. Robert Schlögl was one of the initiators and the first chair of the research initiative for the energy transition. Prof. Walter Leitner has been chair of the strategy council of the BMBF Kopernikus project ‘P2X: Research, validation and implementation of power-to-X concepts’ since 2025. Further information is available on the P2X website.

WSS Resources: Sustainable chlorine chemistry through ionic liquids
The research centre at Freie Universität Berlin, funded by the Werner Siemens Foundation with €18 million, is developing a revolutionary ionic liquid (‘chlorine storage’) that safely stores chlorine and makes it usable as a basic chemical for a defossilised industry. The MPI CEC is involved as a core partner and, under the leadership of Prof. Siegfried R. Waldvogel, is researching electrochemical processes for recycling chlorine-containing waste such as PVC or pesticides.

By recovering the chlorine and carbon skeletons, waste materials are turned into raw materials. This technology reduces energy consumption and the risks associated with chlorine production (2.3% of Germany's electricity demand) and opens up new applications ranging from biomass utilisation to high-tech metal recycling for a circular economy-oriented chemical industry.

Bio-based platform chemicals for sustainable C4 value chains
The MPI CEC spin-off C4Value is developing an innovative catalytic process for the cost-efficient production of acetoin from bioethanol – a key chemical for the food and perfume industries. As a bio-based platform, acetoin enables the sustainable synthesis of high-value C4 chemicals such as butadiene or 2,3-butanediol, which are traditionally derived from petroleum.

Based on research at the MPI CEC, C4Value is strategically targeting niche markets to scale up the technology. The initial focus is on pure acetoin as an economical entry point, followed by derivatives for the polymer and rubber industries. The start-up, which won the chemstars! Innovation Award in 2025, is thus building a bridge between basic research and market-ready fossil-free chemistry.

ESy-Labs: Scaling electrochemical processes for sustainable chemistry
Founded in 2018 by Dr Tobias Gärtner and MPI CEC Director Prof Siegfried R. Waldvogel, this start-up develops tailor-made electrosynthesis and recycling solutions for the chemical industry. Its core competence is the transfer of laboratory electrochemical processes into industrial-scale processes – from screening platforms (ESy-Screening®) to tonne-scale demonstrators for organic synthesis or waste recycling.

As a bridge between basic research and application, ESy-Labs uses AI-supported process optimisation and innovative electrolysis materials. With investor support (HTGF), the growing team (14 employees, locations in Regensburg/Gernsheim) is implementing cycle-oriented technologies at the interface of renewable energy and chemical conversion.

Website

Innovative Electrode Solutions for Green Energy Transition
The mission of MPI CEC spin-off HYNOVY, led by Dr. Jacob Johny and Dr. Garlef Wartner, with Dr. Justus Masa as the chief scientific advisor, is to develop low-cost, platinum metal group-free electrodes and catalysts for alkaline water electrolysers (AEL), anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysers and hybrid water electrolyser systems. The electrodes and catalysts are prepared from earth abundant elements and substantially lower the operational cell voltage of alkaline water electrolysis compared to the current state-of-the art electrodes, which is crucial for price competitiveness of green hydrogen. 

HYNOVY has secured two rounds of pre-seed funding from the Max-Planck-Innovation GmbH, through the Max!mize Programme, to support scale-up of the technology, market analysis and business development. HYNOVY also won the best pitch award in the Co-founder Wanted #7 event at Frankfurt School Entrepreneurship Centre (2025). 

"Our electrode and catalyst innovations are based on a patent-pending technology platform to deliver superior catalytic activity, durability, and cost efficiency. As we transition from laboratory innovation to industrial deployment, HYNOVY is actively pursuing additional public and private investment to accelerate progress toward pilot-scale manufacturing and full commercialization," Dr. Masa explains.