Nominated 2025
04IN
Johannes Lutz | Universität der Künste BerlinThe 04IN over-ear headphones are designed for durability, ease of repair and recyclability. The frame, hinge and headband are made of stainless steel, providing a robust base. A hook allows for safe transport without additional packaging. Large screws, transparent housing and coloured markings facilitate repairs. The easily accessible components facilitate disassembly, adjustment and maintenance.
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100% Recyceltes Aluminium Autoblech
Novelis Deutschland GmbHNovelis supplies aluminium sheets for the automotive industry with a recycled content of at least 75%. The low-carbon alloy Novelis Advanz™ 6F - e170RC enables car bodies to be made from up to 100% scrap from end-of-life vehicles. This demonstrates the potential of a truly circular economy in vehicle production – resource-efficient and future-oriented.
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Amber - AI monitoring device
Levin Budihardjo Welim & Emma Rahe | Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch GmündAmber is an AI-powered, non-invasive device for the early detection of bark beetle infestation. It is attached to the tree and records ambient noise to detect beetle feeding in summer and woodpecker activity in winter. The visualisation of seasonal indicators gives foresters the crucial time they need to remove infested trees and thus prevent the spread of infestation and large-scale forest damage. State-of-the-art technology combined with bioacoustics counteracts climate change.
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CIRCULAR NETTLE
MAC Mode GmbH & Co. KGaACIRCULAR NETTLE is a new type of trousers that are innovative in terms of both material and process, as they are fully recyclable. The aim is to offer a particularly sustainable product in MAC style to a broad target group at marketable prices. All three principles of recyclability are addressed: reduce (resource-saving nettle fibre), reuse (take-back system), and recycle (post-consumer recycling of ingredients and design).
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cLabs | klima.planen.bauen
BAUFACHFRAU Berlin e.V.The ‘cLabs’ are continuing education courses for professionals in planning, skilled trades, administration or education in the construction sector who want to expand their knowledge of environmental protection and climate justice. Theoretical lessons, workshops, excursions and interdisciplinary exchanges provide practical options for action in everyday working life. The project is contributing to the transformation of the construction sector, which has been a significant contributor to the climate crisis to date.
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Colors with renewable pigments
BASF Coatings GmbHColours with renewable pigments is not just about colour, but a step towards sustainability. Instead of fossil pigments based on carbon black, pigments from algae production residues are used. This contributes to a future in which finite resources are conserved and waste is transformed into valuable materials. Each colour represents innovation and creative practice that breaks away from dependence on mined minerals.
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Concrete Lightweight Ceiling
EIGNER Betonmanufaktur GmbH & Co. KGConcrete Lightweight Ceiling uses 3D-printed concrete segments as integrated formwork to revive an almost forgotten method of reinforced concrete ribbed ceilings. The hollow bodies result in material savings of 40% concrete and 30% less reinforcing steel. In combination with a CO2-optimised R-concrete formula, a reduction of CO2 is achieved compared to the originally planned reinforced concrete flat ceiling. Concrete is only used where it is needed.
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Designstudie zirkulärer Staubsauger
Miele & Cie. KGThe ‘Vooper’ cordless vacuum cleaner study shows that brand and design requirements for quality and high value can be met with a product that consistently fulfils the requirements of the circular economy and impresses users with its ease of use. Internally, the study contributed to reducing plastic materials to 15% of the previous amount. The concept illustrates the potential savings that can be achieved through recyclable design.
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Ecocord / Ecohemp
Cordial GmbHPVC cables dominate the music and events industry. The ECOCORD series, with its ECOHEMP variant, offers an environmentally friendly alternative: the specially developed TPE-V sheath is PVC-, halogen- and plasticiser-free, as well as recyclable. ‘ECOHEMP’ complements this with a fabric sheath made from 100% GOTS-certified hemp. The materials reduce environmental and health impacts – without compromising flexibility, durability or sound quality.
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ecomade Matratze
ecomade GmbHAround one million mattresses are disposed of in Switzerland every year – with a recycling rate of 0%. This is where ‘ecomade’ comes in, combining sleeping comfort with sustainable circular economy. In autumn 2024, the first Swiss mattress with an extended service life and integrated recycling service was launched. In addition to the product design, a holistic, recyclable ecosystem was created that opens up new ways of dealing with resources.
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eudemia | Möbel aus Bio-Faserresten
CoFurniture UG (haftungsbeschränkt)The climate-positive furniture brand ‘eudemia’ is developed by a start-up from Münster using plant-based materials for a design- and sustainability-conscious target group. The products use regional, renewable raw materials and are recyclable. As part of an Interreg model project, alternative materials, design and manufacturing processes are being researched and further developed in collaboration with regional partners in order to counteract raw material shortages and high CO₂ emissions.
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Felt the Future - walking with wool
Philipp Remus | Hochschule PforzheimResearch is being conducted into the manufacture of shoes made from 100% wool according to circular design principles. The innovative aspect lies in combining traditional and digital manufacturing techniques with wool as a circular material: it is compostable, repairable and binds pollutants. Challenges such as water absorption are optimised through impregnation and material combinations. The prototypes demonstrate new design possibilities and provide impetus for ecological innovation in the footwear industry.
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fix1.today
FixFirstFix1 is a modular, AI-supported platform that makes repairs and other circular services accessible – via AI chat, AI telephone or online booking. Digital tools are available to repairers to simplify processes. Cities, retailers, manufacturers and initiatives can integrate their own service platforms, for example for repair bonus programmes. In this way, Fix1 supports the development of circular structures.
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FLOCK
Mareen Baumeister | Kunsthochschule Berlin WeißenseeFLOCK uses regional sheep's wool, which is often discarded due to its significant loss in value, and processes it using robotic felting techniques to create three-dimensional structures with specific material properties. The monomaterial design reinterprets traditional felting processes and expands their creative and functional possibilities. A stool demonstrates the potential for resource-saving, local material cycles.
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FREITAG Mono[PA6] Rucksack
FREITAG lab. agThe new Mono[PA6] rucksack is recyclable. All 17 components of the rucksack are made from a single material, polyamide 6, or PA6 for short, better known as nylon. This means that at the end of its life, it can be recycled in its entirety, and the granulate can be used to make new rucksack parts. The Mono[PA6] rucksack is a lightweight everyday companion for a variety of urban needs. The removable musette can also be worn as a practical crossbody bag.
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insectmatter
BurgLabsinsectmatter develops circular everyday products based on insect-derived chitosan through regional synergies. Examples such as a door handle or table lamps available for hire in the catering industry demonstrate possible value creation models. The biopolymer binds regional by-products and at the same time links agriculture, industry and design into a production and recycling community in which the products can circulate.
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KI-gestützte Abfallsteuerung
Wasteer GmbHAI solutions analyse waste streams directly upon delivery. Within seconds, they identify compositions, contaminants, calorific value and other important key figures. Any anomalies trigger automatic warnings, and all results are documented. This creates a reliable database that plants can use to control waste streams in a targeted manner, recycle them more efficiently and operate more sustainably.
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LOVR™ – Circular Hemp Material
Revoltech GmbHLOVR™ is a plastic-free, sustainable hemp material for the circular economy. It is durable, biodegradable, recyclable and offers an alternative to leather and plastics. Manufactured with minimal CO2 emissions, free of harmful substances and fully traceable, it is suitable for fashion, automotive and interior design applications. The project combines renewable raw materials with industrial scalability and sets new standards for ecological innovation.
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Luna Rail Seat and Hotel Pods
Luna Rail GmbHLuna Rail is developing a new generation of day and night trains that optimise passenger density, comfort and cost-effectiveness. It is intended to be a sustainable alternative for air passengers while offering an outstanding user experience. The aim is to make medium- and long-distance travel CO2-free while offering the most comfortable travel option between cities. The interior design concept envisages two different pods: the Seat Pod and the Hotel Pod.
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LXSY – Zirkuläres Planen und Bauen
LXSY ArchitekturLXSY Architektur has been committed to circular planning and construction since 2021. Through the reuse of components, single-material and demountable constructions, and documented material passports, reversible, convertible buildings are created as raw material stores for the future. Flexible spatial structures and locally available resources give rise to sustainable, adaptable architecture. Innovative planning processes that incorporate reused building components and promote communication are central to this.
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NovaPoly™
HUGO BOSS AGNovaPoly™ is a novel, trademarked recycled polyester yarn. It is obtained from pre- and post-consumer textile waste and enriched with a natural additive. This mimics the natural behaviour of fibres in the environment, making the yarn biodegradable. From an ecological point of view, the closed fibre-to-fibre recycling process is particularly noteworthy.
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Open Organic Farm
Ilonka Berkényi | Hochschule für Gestaltung OffenbachOpenOrganicFarm is a publicly accessible online tool designed to help gardeners get started in vegetable gardening. It is primarily based on the concept of the market garden. At its heart is the vegetable patch planner, a professional tool that facilitates intuitive planning and design of beds and supports vegetable gardeners in their planning right from the start. For individual, site-specific, small-scale, bio-intensive vegetable gardening.
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orto space
orto GmbHThe ‘orto space’ software solution supports companies in the construction industry in identifying potential for further use and managing existing projects. A compression algorithm and an intuitive interface enable sensory building data to be used sustainably for analysis, planning and co-production processes via a web browser. This increases the useful life and intensity of valuable data sets while conserving resources.
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Paludi Erntemaschine
Jona Nowack | Hochschule Magdeburg StendalThe ‘Paludi harvesting machine’ enables the sustainable use of rewetted moorland and floodplains. Specially adapted technology prevents sinking on wet soils and promotes climate protection. The project creates new sources of income for farmers and strengthens regional economic cycles without harming the environment. At the same time, the potential of paludiculture is exploited and design options for sustainable machines are taken into account.
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Reclaimed Design
Clara Pauline Blum | University of StuttgartReclaimed Design presents a methodology that rethinks the use of reclaimed wood in construction. Calculation tools, material analyses and machine learning are used to create a framework for maximising the structural and aesthetic potential of reclaimed wood. The concept combines resource-saving circular economy with design innovation in the construction industry.
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Recycling-Etiketten im Closed Loop
Steinbeis Papier GmbHThe wet- and alkali-resistant label papers made from 100% recycled paper are suitable for reusable and disposable containers in the beverage, food and non-food sectors. At the same time, a new processing technology is being implemented that enables used labels to be recycled into new labels on an industrial scale. The Circular Economy Act (KrWG) has been fully taken into account and a closed-loop solution has been implemented.
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Reefine
Zhong-Wei Lin | Royal College of ArtReefine uses discarded oyster shells as the main material for a modular artificial reef that supports coral regeneration. The structure minimises disruption to water flow and reduces the risk of sediments covering coral larvae. Oyster shells are not only biologically compatible with coral, but also have a porous structure that facilitates coral attachment and provides a habitat for marine life.
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Schüco FocusIng RECYCLED+
Schüco Polymer Technologies KGThe window and door system with a construction depth of 70/76 mm was developed for modernisation projects. However, thanks to its clear design and strong performance characteristics, it is also suitable for new buildings. Schüco FocusIng RECYCLED+ combines accessibility with low whole-life carbon emissions. This is achieved through the reduced use of fossil resources, high durability and excellent recyclability.
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SHIFTphone 8
SHIFT GmbHThe SHIFTphone 8 proves that modular design and water protection are not mutually exclusive. It has an IP protection rating that was previously unheard of among repairable smartphones. At the same time, it retains its proven modularity: users can replace and repair over 15 components themselves – a significant step forward for sustainable technology. Good design and modularity are not mutually exclusive.
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The world's first mushroom coffin
Loop Biotech B.VThe Loop Living Cocoon™ is a biodegradable coffin made from fungal mycelium and upcycled hemp fibres. It decomposes completely within 45 days, actively enriching the biodiversity of the soil. Fungi are natural recyclers that transform organic matter and pollutants into new life. Its use in the funeral industry – rather than in the packaging industry, for example – encourages us to rethink materials and values and promotes a conscious relationship with nature.
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