The Aachen Chamber of Industry and Commerce has awarded its Sustainability Prize for the second time. Twenty-five companies from the Aachen metropolitan region and the districts of Düren, Euskirchen, and Heinsberg submitted their projects – ranging from small businesses to international corporations. A jury of experts from business, research, and academia has now recognized three of them: the submission from GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG of Düren, Hermetia Tech GmbH of Aachen, and Schwermetall Halbzeugwerk GmbH & Co. KG of Stolberg. The Audience Award went to Picard's from Übach-Palenberg.

"The winners impressively demonstrate the diversity and creativity of sustainable business," said Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Gisela Kohl-Vogel during the ceremonial presentation of the trophies made from sustainable raw materials. "With our Sustainability Award, we at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry want to raise the visibility of outstanding initiatives by regional entrepreneurs and motivate other companies to become involved as well. The projects pay off not only ecologically but also economically. After all, sustainable business practices often offer companies the opportunity to tap into new markets and acquire new customers."

Therefore, the Aachen Chamber of Industry and Commerce will again present a sustainability award in 2027. The current winners will be included in the future jury to contribute their experiences and perspectives. The Aachen Sustainability Award is the first of its kind among the North Rhine-Westphalian Chambers of Industry and Commerce and is presented every two years. The award's patron this time was once again Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy and Deputy Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The winning projects at a glance:

GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG impressed the expert jury with an innovative filter system for manhole covers. It helps collect microplastics in the form of tire wear from road traffic and thus keeps them out of the water system. No additional maintenance is required. The filters have been tested in a pilot project in Düren since September 2025. The jury praised the project: "GKD's project sets new standards in environmental protection and resource conservation."

Hermetia Tech GmbH recycles unsold food from supermarkets to breed insect larvae that can be processed into animal feed. The Aachen-based company is thus closing a gap in the circular economy. The jury concluded: "The project demonstrates how organic waste can be converted into sustainable animal feed – a contribution to reducing waste and greenhouse gases."

Schwermetall Halbzeugwerk GmbH & Co. KG impressed the expert jury with its "Sustainability Action Plan." The Stolberg-based copper specialist already produces more than a third of its energy needs from regional wind turbines and has set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2045. The jury praised this "extremely ambitious goal, which the company's management and its workforce are consistently implementing."

Picard's was founded by a Cameroonian native. The one-woman business's business model is to produce "healthy, culturally sensitive, and sustainable beverages from Cameroon," all handcrafted. In the public online vote, the project from Übach-Palenberg took first place with 1,614 votes.