"I am very pleased about this renewed award for the Fraunhofer IMWS. It confirms our strong position in the research market and shows that we have taken the right course with the focus of our application-oriented research over the past few years. Current topics such as the energy transition and digitalisation open up further perspectives for us. With future-oriented research, we will continue to support companies in strengthening their competitiveness," says Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden, Director of the Fraunhofer IMWS.

Research at Fraunhofer IMWS focuses on the microstructure of materials, with the aim of increasing material efficiency and cost-effectiveness as well as conserving resources. Around 350 employees conduct research for partners in industry and the public sector on questions of functionality, application behaviour as well as the reliability, safety and service life of materials, components and systems and develop new devices for microstructure analysis. Clients encompass companies from different industry sectors such as microelectronics and microsystems technology, photovoltaics, plastics technology, energy technology, automotive engineering or aircraft construction, among others.

As part of the study, the business magazine "Capital" and Statista Germany, selected a panel of industry and innovation experts from 1,849 candidates, 466 companies and research institutions from 20 different sectors that are considered particularly innovative. For the fifth time in a row, the Fraunhofer IMWS has achieved the top rating of five stars in the area of "Energy and Environment".