Sep 08, 2025
Launch of the "2nd Life Metal Components" research project - Minister President Kretschmer praises engineering skills
On September 5, 2025, TU Dresden officially launched the research project “2nd Life Metal Components” with a festive opening ceremony in the Dülfersaal.
The aim is to develop an innovative forming and laser technology process in which disused metal components are transformed into new sheet metal - completely without the traditional, energy-intensive melting furnace. The project is being led by Professors Alexander Brosius and Andrés Fabián Lasagni.
Together with Rector Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger, they welcomed numerous guests, including the Prime Minister of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, who arrived at 10 a.m. for the ceremony.
Greeting from the Minister President
In his speech, Minister President Kretschmer underlined the importance of the project for sustainable development in Saxony and emphasized his enthusiasm for the innovative approaches: "As an engineer, I was immediately enthusiastic when I heard about it. A great project!"
In the further course of the event, the project managers presented the objectives and the scientific approach. The plan is to precisely cut out segments from discarded metal parts, process them and then reshape them into a new component. A symbolic "metal puzzle" illustrating this process was presented to the Minister President.
During a tour along posters, the guests learned about the planned work steps - from material characterization and process development to the functional refinement of the sheet metal using laser technologies.
With "2nd Life Metal Components", TU Dresden is focusing on a resource- and energy-efficient alternative to conventional metal recycling and is responding to key challenges such as rising raw material prices and securing sustainable supply chains.
Funded by the Werner Siemens Foundation
The project is being funded by the Werner Siemens Foundation (WSS) with a total of 13 million euros over a period of eight years. The funds will enable the establishment of a 25-strong interdisciplinary team and create the basis for researching the entire process chain from the recovery of used metal parts to industrially usable semi-finished products.
Further information
A second life for metal components - TU Dresden launches upcycling project
© Professur für Formgebende Fertigungsverfahren
Inhaber der Professur für
NameMr Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Brosius
Formgebende Fertigungsverfahren
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Inhaber
NameMr Prof. Andrés Fabián Lasagni
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