The SUPRA network recently gathered at the new premises of BMF GmbH in Grüna to take a look at the future of blasting technology. The new production hall not only offered a pleasant atmosphere, but also the opportunity to visit BMF GmbH's state-of-the-art production facilities. The network partners discussed the technological roadmap and jointly developed the project ideas further. With the results of his feasibility study, Mr. Theobald (CEO of 3D-Metall Theobald) initiated an interesting discussion on the potential of additive fine printing and opened the way for further cooperation. Another important contribution to strengthening international cooperation and the exchange of innovations between Germany and Poland was made by Mr. Dabrowksi, Head of the Centre for Enterprise and Technology Transfer at the University of Zielona Gora, in his brief presentation. In the concluding tour of the company, CEO Mr. Bernstein and Mr. Krause, Sales Manager for blasting systems, provided interesting insights into the sustainable energy concept of the entire production site and presented new innovations in blasting technology. The SUPRA network once again set an example for the importance of cooperation and intercultural exchange in the modern business world.

Ms. Prof. Marlen Gabriele Arnold from the Professorship of Corporate Environmental Economics and Sustainability informed network partners and external guests about the topic of “Circular Economy Act, Landfill Ordinance and CO2 Accounting according to the GHG Protocol” at the first workshop of the SUPRA network. The participants were offered a wide range of content, from the circular economy law to the amendment of the landfill regulations. The contents of the GreenhouseGas Protocol (GHG Protocol) were also roughly outlined. The diverse questions and their answers were particularly important. In particular, the challenges of data collection, data processing, the quantifiable advantages of individual measures and the effects of setting observation limits were discussed lively and demonstrated the difficulties in practical application with regard to CO2 accounting.

Once again this year, we took the opportunity to exchange ideas within the large circle of ZIM network managers and took part in the workshop "Kreativwerkstatt: Developing ideas for ecological innovations with design thinking" on November 29. During the group work, we learned about design thinking, an approach that leads to solving problems and developing new ideas through the application of creative techniques. The following day, we discussed innovations with a particular focus on conserving resources under the motto "Ecological innovations with ZIM innovation networks" at this year's annual ZIM network conference of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). In exciting keynote speeches, we were inspired by the importance and possibilities of ecological innovations and gained new food for thought for more sustainable action. Thanks to numerous practical examples and the accompanying exhibition, we were presented with ideas and incentives for initiating new ecological innovation networks and projects. In a panel discussion, questions on sustainability, ecological innovations and the role of ZIM innovation networks were discussed from various perspectives.

As part of the cluster marketing trip for players from the Saxon robotics and automation ecosystem, a delegation from associations, companies and representatives from the academic R&D sector visited Japan on a 4-day trip. SUPRA was also there! Organized by the Saxony Economic Development Agency and GERMAN TRADE & INVEST (GTAI), the delegation was provided with a comprehensive picture of the current political and economic situation in Japan, which was rounded off by cooperation with the German Embassy and the Japan Chamber of Foreign Commerce (AHK Japan). The trip also included the German-Japanese Robotic Symposium 2023 in Tokyo. Here Mr. Schleinitz introduced the SUPRA network and the Professorship of Production Systems and Processes at Chemnitz University of Technology and discussed future concepts in the field of robotics and automation as well as possible collaborations with the participants. The visit to various research institutions, companies and start-ups also provided a deep insight into the current trends in the Japanese robotics scene. Visiting iRex 2023, one of the largest robot exhibitions in the world, with a large joint GATI stand offered an excellent platform to talk to a wide range of stakeholders. Especially since this year’s motto of the leading trade fair “Sustainable Societies through Robotics” was entirely in line with SUPRA’s goals.

Many thanks to everyone involved and organizers for the successful substantive and intercultural exchange.

Sustainability is not only a central concern of our SUPRA network, but also of Chemnitz University of Technology as a whole. All faculties and numerous professorships are working intensively on topics for ecological, economic and social transformation. This regularly produces interesting approaches and results. Various initiatives seek sustainable solutions to complex problems with scientific curiosity.

In addition to research, there is also potential for expanding cooperation in the educational programs for students. The TUC Transition Days have served as an impulse and starting point to promote an intensified discussion and constructive cooperation in the field of research for the development and establishment of more sustainable, economically successful and socially viable approaches.

At the invitation of the organizers, we presented our ideas and initial projects that are currently being implemented. In the diverse discussions, we were able to broaden our perspective and reflect on the aspects of sustainability together with stakeholders from various disciplines. We are looking forward to the new lines of action and working together with new partners.

All about automation took place for the fourth time at the Chemnitz trade fair and can look back on increasing interest with more exhibitors, more visitors and more automation buzz than in the previous year. The 191 exhibitors also included two of our network partners. As a software system house, ARC solutions GmbH provided information about innovations in their software solutions for the manufacturing industry. 3D-Metall Theobald e. K. was also there and presented impressive additively manufactured exhibits and prototypes with remarkable attention to detail and surface quality to interested experts and practitioners. Of course, the network management visited its partners and found out about innovations in the industry. Once more the all about automation in Chemnitz underlines its importance as an automation meeting for Saxony and beyond.

We were guests at ibs Automation GmbH in Chemnitz for the second network meeting on August 31, 2023. At the meeting, the network management provided information about current R&D project ideas, opportunities for national and international R&D funding and explored interesting common topics for workshops and other projects. In the spirit of networking, other companies and institutions have expressed interest in becoming a member of SUPRA. Two of them - H+E Produktentwicklung GmbH from Moritzburg and the Saxon Textile Research Institute from Chemnitz - took the opportunity to present their skills to the participants on this day. Tilo Sigmund, Managing Director of ibs Automation GmbH, then showed the guests around his company and invited them to exchange ideas over a snack.

In the spirit of "The TU Chemnitz in Carlowitz's footsteps and in the light of his legacy" sustainable approaches to solutions for tomorrow's world were the focus of a public forum in the dialogue series of the Saxon Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Society. As part of the programme, in which several researchers from the TU Chemintz present current research projects on sustainability, Mr. Dr. Rehm spoke on "Ways to the circular production of cyber-physical products" at the Carlowitz Congress Centre in the Chemnitz Stadthalle.

In terms of sustainability, we used our business trip to Leipzig to talk to another new network partner, SCHRÖDER DESIGN, about initial project ideas in the sense of the SUPRA network. In the wonderful ambience of the House of Books, the managing director, Mr. Strahl, gave us a warm welcome and showed us around the premises. The numerous products and innovations from the field of product design showed the broad portfolio and the explanations of the underlying processes once again illustrated the high creative added value. We discussed the first starting points in the design of adaptive gripper systems for a variety of dismantling processes. Here in particular there are different stakeholders whose needs must be taken into account at an early stage and mirrored to one another.

We finally had the opportunity to meet our new network partner, 3D-Metall Theobald e.K. based in the Business and Innovation Center Leipzig. We were happy to accept the invitation and immediately felt at home in the innovative environment of additive manufacturing. The managing director, Mr. Theobald, impressively explained the extremely high level of optimized processes and procedures to us using a wide variety of workpieces made of bronze and stainless steel. Together we developed initial ideas and concepts for the use of 3D powder bed printing in the area of mold making. We look forward to further intensifying our collaboration!

As part of the international transfer of knowledge and the promotion of young students, the international Polish coordinator of SUPRA, Frau Prof. Patalas-Maliszewska, gave a lecture to our international students of the "Advanced Manufacturing" course. As an expert in the field, she gave a lecture on information systems at the various company levels and illustrated this with a large number of interesting examples from industrial practice. There was a lively exchange with the students, especially in the area of the digital twin. We would like to thank Prof. Patalas-Maliszewska and are pleased about the invitation to the international student conference in Dabki, which you finally addressed to all students.

After the successful approval of our concept, we were very pleased to bring all network partners to one table for a first meeting for the Kick-Off on June 1st, 2023 in our premises at Chemnitz University of Technology. With a focus on sustainable automation solutions for small and medium-sized companies in the field of production technology, we discussed initial ideas that deal with the following topics:

• Agile Manufacturing Processes and -systems
• Environmental Economics in Production Engineering
• Human-Machine-Robot Cooperation
• Smart Data and Models
• Machine Learning
• Smart Materials and Structures

Of course, we used the breaks for interesting conversations over coffee, cake and snacks and addressed the central topics of sustainability, digitization, but also resilience and demographic change. Many thanks to all partners for the successful start - we look forward to forming the network together.