The Central German industrial region is rewriting its history—from coal to circular chemistry
The coal region is becoming the carbon region. Central Germany is using its industrial heritage as a springboard for the future. The know-how and the chemical parks are in place—now the solutions for a new chemistry are being developed.
This is exactly where the Forum Rathenau’s new program “Create New Chemistry” comes in.
Forum Rathenau e.V. is building, together with stakeholders from the Central German region, a platform that brings together innovative minds, established industry, and cutting-edge technologies.
Our non-profit goal: to turn industrial challenges into new business models for a post-fossil economy and society.
To this end, stakeholders in the region and Forum Rathenau e.V. have jointly produced a magazine about the future. The magazine presents a non-binding range of possibilities and encourages readers to see the current challenges as opportunities.
So that the chemistry between people and business is right.
Opportunities in the new chemistry
The transformation toward new chemistry is driven above all by the region’s concrete industrial challenges.
Production processes that generate by-products, methods seeking more sustainable raw materials, CO₂-intensive processes that need optimization—this is exactly where innovative solutions are applied.
Some companies from the region have already contributed initial challenges to our program. These become tailored tasks tackled by innovative teams in a 4-month intensive program.
Industrial problems become scalable business models.
Information for businesses
🔧 Which challenges are suitable?
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Production by-products that need new valorization routes
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Process optimizations to reduce CO₂
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Sustainable raw material substitutes
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Circular solutions for existing processes
🎯 What’s in it for my company?
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Free solution development by highly qualified teams
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Access to research infrastructure and testing facilities
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Early partnership with potential spin-outs
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Visibility as an innovation driver
⏱️ How does the collaboration work?
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Challenge definition together with our experts
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Support for teams during the development phase
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Regular updates and interim presentations
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Final results presentation with implementation plan
Your contact for questions
Pascal Milfeit
TransferWerkstatt
Telefon: 03494 / 6579210
E-Mail: pmilfeit@forum-rathenau.de
TransferWerkstatt
From challenge to start-up
To address the regional economy’s challenges, we are particularly looking for chemists, process engineers, materials scientists, and business development experts.
Participants will work in interdisciplinary teams on real industry tasks.
We provide intensive support over four months, direct access to chemical parks and testing infrastructure, personal mentors from industry, and ultimately the chance to establish the developed solutions as independent companies in the region.
Challenges ansehen (PDF)
Information for participants
🎯 Is this right for me?
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You have expertise in chemistry, process engineering, materials science, business development or related fields
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You are interested in circular economy and sustainable technologies
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You can see yourself working intensively for 4–5 months on a specific challenge
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You are ready to turn your solution into a company
💎 What do I get?
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3 months of intensive mentoring
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Mentors from industry and business
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Access to chemical parks and, if needed, testing facilities
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Workshops on business development, leadership, IP management, financing
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Accompanying coaching program
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Direct contact with industry partners as first customers
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Investor pitch at program conclusion
📋 How is the program structured?
Module 1: MVP & Product Development
Module 2: Strategy & Startup Culture
Module 3: Company Management & Financing
Module 4: Sales & Market Entry
Continuous mentoring
Concludes with an investor panel
💰 What does it cost me?
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Free participation
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Funded by Forum Rathenau
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Equity terms and IP arrangements depend on the specific challenge and partner company
📍 Where does it take place?
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Location: Bitterfeld-Wolfen / Central German region & Online
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Partners: Chemical Park Bitterfeld-Wolfen, TGZ
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International connections to Scandinavia, Benelux, and Poland
🚀 What are my prospects afterward?
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Direct connections to investors (bmp Ventures, FTTF)
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Industry partners as first customers already during the program
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Opportunity to set up in regional chemical parks
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Access to follow-up financing and growth capital
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Opportunities to implement the challenges internally as intrapreneurs in existing or new business fields
Participant registration is handled by Startup Migrants on behalf of Forum Rathenau e.V.
Your contact for questions
Pascal Milfeit
TransferWerkstatt
Telefon: 03494 / 6579210
E-Mail: pmilfeit@forum-rathenau.de
TransferWerkstatt
From vision to ecosystem
The transformation of Central Germany is a vision—but the foundations have already been laid.
A strong network of established partners is ready to support the emerging companies from first idea to successful market entry.
These regional and supraregional players form the foundation for sustainable success in the new chemistry between people and business.
From established chemical parks to renowned research institutions to experienced investors—all the building blocks for successful deep-tech startups are in place.
Economic development support, startup consulting, international networks, and political backing complete the ecosystem.
This creates not just a program but an entire infrastructure for the industry’s future.
This initiative is supported by:
