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Ceremony for the German Design Award

Shaping the future

German Sustainability Award for Design honoured strong contributions to transformation: new life for old furniture, a salon and new composites.
by Anika Paulus |

On 1 December 2022, the German Sustainability Award Design was presented for the third time. The award was given to products and services that can make a difference in all areas of life. The jury, which this year included Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart, Vitra trend scout Raphael Gielgen and Stylepark board member Franziska von Schumann, selected 25 finalists from numerous nominees and finally 17 award winners.

In the field of construction, in addition to the world's first fully electric horizontal drilling rig "HDD80-E" by Streicher, the Cradle to Cradle certified acoustic panels by Troldtekt were also awarded. The panels are based on the novel cement type Futurecem. While wood provides breathability and flexibility, cement gives the wood wool lightweight panels the desired stability and fire resistance - without any harmful chemicals. With a service life of 50 to 70 years and recyclability (Cradle to Cradle certificate in gold), the decorative Troldtekt acoustic panels can contribute to leading building certifications.

With "OrganiQ" from Holzwerk Rockenhausen, another new composite material received an award. The material is based on hemp and kenaf fibres; it offers excellent mechanical properties, can be shaped three-dimensionally and is a real alternative to solid wood - also aesthetically. The material is free of formaldehyde and phenol, and has been certified food-safe. Already used by well-known European kitchen manufacturers, especially for cutlery inserts, the potential of "OrganiQ" is far from exhausted. The three-dimensional formability in particular offers a wide range of possible applications.

Systems and services such as the app-controlled rental system for power tools "toolbot.de" from thingk.systems or the "Remanufacturing" service from Girsberger, also received awards. With its offer, the furniture manufacturer offers repair and renewal services for existing, worn-out furniture - regardless of the manufacturer. High-quality structures and mechanisms made of wood, metal or plastic are retained; only parts that have become unusable are replaced. Extending the life of furniture retains high-quality structures and mechanisms. In this way, Girsberger also promotes a rethink in society.

Award-winning: "Papilio" by Tobias Trübenbacher is a street light that counteracts light pollution and generates energy through an integrated wind rotor.

With the new "E-Line Next LED continuous row" from Trilux, lighting is future-proof. The continuous-row lighting system has been on the market for over 30 years and is continuously being developed further. Combined with the "LiveLink" light management system, energy costs can be reduced by up to 85 percent compared to conventional, uncontrolled solutions. Particularly useful: all previous versions can be converted to LED technology in a few simple steps and thus continue to be used.

The diversity of the entries from all sectors clearly shows that alternatives are necessary and possible everywhere. Design provides answers to the most pressing challenges of our time and changes our lifestyles, says initiator Stefan-Schulze Hausmann. "Products and services that make this possible will become increasingly popular."

Winners of the German Sustainability Award Design 2022

Cozero – Cozero Climate Action Platform

edding AG – edding EcoLine

FiltaFry Deutschland GmbH – Fettabscheider FiltaFOG Cyclone

Girsberger Holding AG – Girsberger Remanufacturing

Holzwerk Rockenhausen GmbH & Co. KG – OrganiQ

Laboratoire Biosthétique Kosmetik GmbH & Co. KG – The salon

Max Streicher GmbH & Co. KG – Fully electric horizontal drilling rig HDD80-E

Melina Bucher. Bailey – The handbag of the future

MEWA Textil-Service G & Co. Management OHG – Mewa Peak

Quantron AG – Quantron Cizaris 12 EV

Smart & Green Mukran Concrete GmbH – Wind turbine foundation

thingk-systems UG – toolboot.de

Trilux GmbH & Co. KG – E-Line Next LED

Troldtekt GmbH – Cradle-to-Cradle certified Troldtekt® acoustic panels based on Futurecem.

Zukunftsweine GmbH – Zukunftsweine


Visions:


Tobias Trübenbacher Design - Papilio

J.M. Voith SE & Co. KG - ExcelLine paper production line

This year, two honorary prizes were also awarded: To founder and supermodel Toni Garrn and to Cradle to Cradle founder Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart.

Cradle to Cradle founder Prof. Dr Michael Braungart receives the Honorary Award