[...]Employees cover more than 11,000 kilometres in several sports together Third Health Day at the company headquarters with many impulse lectures, action stands and healthy food and drinks Board member Rainer Köhler: “Staying fit as one big team” On Thursday, 28 July, HUBER SE held its third Health Day at the company headquarters in Berching-Erasbach. Employees from all departments had the opportunity not only to actively do something good for their health, but also to get important impulses and suggestions for their physical health and mental well-being. In the course of the Health Day, the participants of the HUBER “Exercise Challenge”, organised for the first time in June and July, were also honoured for covering a distance of around 11,000 kilometres. The proceeds: The company donated 2,500 euros to the “Leb-mit-Laden” food bank in Neumarkt. In the cafeteria of the HUBER Forum, Chief Sales Officer Rainer Köhler opened the day with a speech that contained several positive messages: after the official welcome, in the course of which he explained the reasons, goals and contents of the third HUBER Health Day, Köhler, together with HR administrator Lisa Neumeier, took over the honouring for the “HUBER Exercise Challenge”. Köhler also had the pleasant task of handing over a cheque of 2,500 euros to Björn Bracher, Head of Social Services of the welfare & social work agency Diakonie Nürnberger Land/Neumarkt. Rainer Köhler (Chief Sales Officer HUBER SE): “Staying fit as one big team” “This year we dared a first attempt to give our many athletes a common goal and thus stay fit as one big team despite Corona”, said Chief Sales Officer Rainer Köhler in his opening speech. “56 employees competed on 13 June 2022 as part of the Exercise Challenge to cover 5,700 kilometres together by the end of July – once up the Danube and back down again. With the help of the special Teamfit app, it was possible to collect points through various types of exercise, which were then converted into kilometres and included in the joint achievement of the goal. We are proud to say that the original target was not only achieved, but even doubled.” Healthy nutrition, impulse lectures and action stands One aim of the action day at HUBER was to make employees aware of everyday dangers. Together with company doctor Dr. Judith Auer, the health insurance company AOK and the companies Uvex and Hoffmann, there were presentations on various topics such as “Ergonomics at the workplace”, “First aid in everyday life”, “Take a break – movement meets coordination” and “Skin protection and skin cancer”. Throughout the day, HUBER employees had the opportunity to visit information and activity stands and, for example, undergo a reaction test, prove their coordination, have their safety shoes checked, try on protective equipment and explore the connection between nutrition and concentration. In addition, an “intoxication course”, accompanied by safety expert Sigrid Nerreter, gave employees an understanding of the negative effects of alcohol when performing everyday tasks. HUBER trainees, together with the catering team from “Die Kochmanufaktur”, provided healthy and balanced catering – with a muesli bar, sandwiches, smoothies and a menu specially prepared for the HUBER Health Day.[...]
[...]Berching/Berlin - The ”board ship“ of German Water Partnership (GWP) has set sail for another four years: On Tuesday, 5 July, the 18th general meeting of GWP took place in Berlin on the seminar ship “Orca ten Broke“. Georg Huber, shareholder and CEO of HUBER SE, was elected to the GWP board for another term of office and thus for the next four years. Term of office 2022 – 2026: new board unanimously elected After the official welcome by GWP Board Chair Gunda Röstel and the activity report 2021, in which the management outlined the activities of the last as well as the current year and looked ahead to the rest of 2022, the election of the board was on the agenda. After a presentation of the candidates, the new executive board was unanimously elected for the term 2022 – 2026. Georg Huber: “Worldwide networking and interdisciplinary cooperation of ever greater importance“ “I am delighted with the trust placed in me by German Water Partnership,“ said Georg Huber after being elected to the GWP board for another four years. “In view of increasing global crises – not only in the fields of environment, climate and water supply – worldwide networking and interdisciplinary cooperation are of ever greater importance. German Water Partnership has been an important network and an excellent platform for cooperation on a global level in the sector since its foundation in 2008. I am therefore not only personally proud to be a member of the GWP board for another four years, but also look forward to further cooperation with anticipation and responsibility.“ Following the election of the board and reports on GWP's public relations and member communications, the outgoing board members were bidden farewell. At the end of the general meeting, the ship went out at around 7.30 pm for a two-hour cruise. The new board thus set sail for another term of office, literally and figuratively. The new GWP board The new board of German Water Partnership consists of the following members: Dr. Michael Beckereit (Deutsche Wasser International GmbH) Axel Böcker (Dorsch International Consultants GmbH) Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Michael Drechsler (UFT Umwelt- und Fluid-Technik GmbH) Eckard Eberle (elected in absentia, Siemens) Alexandra Ervenich (Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV) Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sven-Uwe Geißen (Technical University Berlin) Ingo Hannemann (Hamburg Wasser) Georg Huber (shareholder and CEO HUBER SE) Michael Kersting (Hermann Sewerin GmbH) Dr. Michael Kuhn (Kuhn GmbH) Dr.-Ing. Shahrooz Mohajeri (inter 3 Institute for Resource Management) Dipl.-Chem.-Ing. Anja Rach (Enexio Water Technologies) Gunda Röstel (Gelsenwasser AG und Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH, Chairwoman of the Board GWP) Dr.-Ing. Gerd Sagawe (Dr. Weber & Partner GmbH) Dr.-Ing. Ursula Schließmann (Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB) About German Water Partnership German Water Partnership e.V. is a network in which more than 300 private and public companies from the water sector as well as trade associations and institutions from business, science and research have joined forces. Since its foundation in 2008, the initiative has been supported by the five Federal Ministries for the Environment, Research, Development, Economics and the Federal Foreign Office.[...]
[...]HUBER welcomes 21 trainees and 4 dual students CEO Georg Huber: “As a growing company in an industry of the future, we always rely on young employees” Induction event of several days for the best possible start into the “World of Clean Water” On Thursday, 1 September, HUBER SE welcomed 21 trainees and 4 dual students for the start of training in 2022. During an introductory event to take several days, they get to know the company, their new colleagues and the company headquarters in Berching-Erasbach – and start their professional life in the “World of Clean Water”. 15 of the trainees start their careers in the industrial sector as precision mechanics (m/f/d), metal workers (m/f/d), warehouse logistics specialists (m/f/d), mechatronics engineers (m/f/d) and wastewater technology specialists (m/f/d). Six young people start their commercial and technical training as industrial clerks (m/f/d), IT specialists (m/f/d) and technical product designers (m/f/d). In addition, two dual students in bio and environmental process engineering at the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden and two dual students in industrial engineering at the Duale Hochschule Baden-Wuerttemberg (DHBW) Mannheim start their careers at HUBER. CEO Georg Huber: “As a growing company in an industry of the future, we always build on young employees” “As a growing company in an industry of the future, HUBER always builds on young employees – with their ideas, their commitment and their motivation,” says Georg Huber (CEO and Chief Financial & Human Resources Officer). “As the Management Board of HUBER SE, we are delighted that, despite the shortage of skilled workers, 25 young people have decided to take up a vocational training or dual study programme in our company this year. We are successful, globally active and continue to grow – that’s why we are building on the innovations and drive of young people so that together we can continue to work for the environment, the climate and the resource water.” Welcome by HR department, works council and youth and trainee representatives To make their start into the new phase of their lives as easy as possible, the HUBER HR department, the works council and the youth and trainee representation welcomed the trainees and dual students. After a company presentation and subsequent occupational safety training, the new trainees and dual students got to know HUBER better through a company rally before they were sent off into the first well-deserved after-work hours of their professional lives. Induction days for the best possible start into training and studies On the second introductory day, employees of the HR department inform about the steps of the training at HUBER, rights and duties of trainees and students, and present a “Trainee Etiquette”. Team-building measures are intended to strengthen the spirit of togetherness, while the trainee folder, a clear compilation of hints and tips, will bring order to the young employees’ plans already at the beginning of their training. Before a guided tour of the company headquarters in Berching-Erasbach, the trainees and dual students receive training in healthy working and behaviour from HUBER’s company doctor. At the end of the third introductory day, a joint excursion awaits the young people: To give them the opportunity to get to know each other and the trainers and members of the youth and trainee representation even better, a canoe trip on the Altmühl river not far from the company headquarters is on the agenda, from the Kratzmühl Lake to Grögling. On the fourth day, the industrial trainees start in their specialist department, while the others receive an introduction to the IT systems before they, too, can start their everyday working life.[...]
[...]On Tuesday, 2 August, HUBER SE honoured five graduates of different apprenticeships for their successfully passed final exams. In the HUBER Forum at the company’s headquarters in Berching-Erasbach, the trainers as well as the board of directors congratulated the now former apprentices and wished them much success in their takeover departments and for their further career. All graduates were taken on by the company. In July, a marketing communications clerk, two industrial clerks and two wastewater technology specialists successfully completed their training at HUBER. Nadine Koller (marketing communications clerk) will continue to work in the marketing department. Industrial clerk Antonia Schmalz is working as team assistant in the Global Service department and industrial clerk Maximilian Kränzlein was taken on as accounts payable clerk. The two sewage technology specialists Niklas Beringer and Jonathan Meyer will in future be travelling worldwide as mechanical service technicians for the Global Service department. Congratulations from the board and trainers The management board members Georg Huber (Chairman of the Board), Dr. Johann Grienberger (Chief Technology Officer) and Rainer Köhler (Chief Sales Officer) as well as the trainers personally congratulated the graduates on their successful completions and wished them much joy and success in the departments they will be working as well as for their further professional careers.[...]
[...]150 good reasons for a celebration in the home town of Berching: HUBER SE celebrated its 150th company anniversary on Saturday, 25 June 2022, with a great employee party at the fairground in Berching. As guests at the internal celebration, the management board and supervisory board welcomed employees from the company headquarters in Erasbach as well as service and field staff from all over Germany as well as Berching’s First Mayor Ludwig Eisenreich. After the “come-together” champagne reception in a relaxed atmosphere and bright sunshine, the guests took their seats in the marquee, which was decorated in a wonderfully traditional Bavarian style and in the HUBER colours of white and blue. While the evening sun was setting in the Altmühl Valley on the summer solstice weekend of St. John’s Eve, the two shareholders Johanna Rong (Member of the Supervisory Board) and Georg Huber (CEO) as well as Berching’s First Mayor Ludwig Eisenreich addressed their words of greeting to the celebrating guests at the beginning of the celebration event. Mayor Eisenreich: “HUBER is a beacon and ambassador” “Active worldwide, at home in Bavaria: HUBER SE is not just any company in Berching, it has rather become a beacon and ambassador for us”, emphasised Berching’s First Mayor Ludwig Eisenreich in his greeting speech. “A shining beacon that signals both internally and externally: something special is happening here. Here in Berching, in the Upper Palatinate, innovative products are developed and manufactured for a clean environment and for the purification and treatment of the valuable commodity water. A beacon that, as a family business, has at the same time remained close to home and down-to-earth.” Mayor Eisenreich had also brought the Golden Book of the town of Berching to the celebration, in which the members of the Management Board Georg Huber (CEO), Dr. Oliver Rong (Chief Technical & Production Officer, Deputy CEO), Dr. Johann Grienberger (Chief Technology Officer) and Rainer Köhler (Chief Sales Officer) as well as the Supervisory Board members Johanna Rong and former State Secretary Hans Spitzner proudly signed. Georg Huber: “Head and heart always here in Berching“ “During all the activities, changes and upheavals that have taken place over time, the head and heart of the company have always been here in Berching,” said Georg Huber (CEO and shareholder) in his celebratory speech. “The developments over the decades that have brought us to this point were initiated in Berching and significantly shaped by the people from this region. I’m not just talking about the decisions that set the course, but about the craftsmanship, the personal responsibility and the will to constantly want to do things better. And last but not least, the support of the relatives and their interest and participation in the work and the company – as it shows again tonight, at this special celebration.” From the construction of one of the first water pipes in Sulzbürg by the then coppersmith’s shop to the projects implemented by HUBER today, one of the thematic brackets is the element of water, he said: “In our world, clean water has become a dwindling natural resource. Where water scarcity becomes a problem, entire ecosystems and societies suffer. And while until a few years ago you tended to hear about these problems from far away regions, today you don’t have to look very far.” The reuse of wastewater, the treatment of drinking water and the recycling of sewage sludge are global challenges that the company also wants to take on and solve in the future. Johanna Rong: “Seeing employees as an essential part of the whole” “HUBER is family-run in the sixth generation, we are economically independent and can make all decisions ourselves,” said Johanna Rong (née Huber, shareholder and Member of the Supervisory Board) in her welcoming speech. “We do everything to ensure that HUBER is a stable and reliable employer now and in the future. For further positive development, it is important that we continue to see our employees as an essential part of the whole, in addition to strategic topics such as investments at home and abroad, market development, innovations and digitalisation. Because the challenges of the future can only be mastered together and with mutual respect.” Speeches, buffet and entertainment by comedian Willy Astor and the band “TZone” The comedian, musician and composer Willy Astor and the band “TZone” provided the entertainment after the official speeches and the buffet. This way, the HUBER family celebrated 150 years of successful company and family history in a fitting manner – and is already eagerly looking forward to the next highlight in 2022: on Saturday, 2 July, the company invites everyone to an open day at the company headquarters from 8 am to 2 pm, before from 5 p.m. the “Platzfest” takes place, an open-air party at the town square in Berching, that HUBER supports as official sponsor.[...]
[...]On Tuesday, 26 July 2022, HUBER SE was honoured by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy as “Bavaria's Best 50” and thus as one of the 50 fastest-growing medium-sized companies in the Free State. At Schleißheim Castle north of Munich, Minister of State Hubert Aiwanger handed over the official certificate to Georg Huber, CEO of HUBER SE. HUBER SE awarded for special growth strength in turnover and number of employees Minister of Economic Affairs Aiwanger: “You stand for economic success and have brought our Free State forward” CEO Georg Huber: “The award is both a confirmation and an incentive” With the competition “Bavaria’s Best 50”, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs has set itself the goal of honouring the achievements of medium-sized companies: Entrepreneurs who identify new opportunities for growth and employment and make consistent use of them are the backbone of the economy. Living entrepreneurship, taking responsibility and creating jobs form the basis for the high standard of living in Bavaria, according to the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. Minister of Economic Affairs Aiwanger: “They master economic challenges with foresight, composure and innovation” “The honoured companies stand for economic success,” said Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger in his speech at the award ceremony. “They all have in common that they have been able to increase their turnover and the number of their employees in the last five years. With these economic achievements and the newly created jobs, they have brought the Free State forward. The award is a signal and an incentive for the entire Bavarian economy to continue unwaveringly on its growth path. SMEs stand for a joint approach that has a lot of potential for the future. They master the economic challenges with vision, the necessary composure and many new innovations.” Bavarian SMEs: the foundation for training the next generation He said that small and medium-sized enterprises were the foundation for training the next generation, especially since more than 80 per cent of trainees got their start in professional life at small and medium-sized companies: “Training your own apprentices is a very good strategy for companies to secure the skilled workers of tomorrow,” said Aiwanger. Georg Huber: “The award is both a confirmation and an incentive” “For us, the award as one of the 50 fastest-growing medium-sized companies in the whole of Bavaria is a confirmation of our path and our development,” said Georg Huber, CEO of HUBER SE, after the award ceremony. “And at the same time it is an incentive for us to continue this development successfully: Despite global challenges, we are on a growth course, which is reflected in the increasing number of our employees at the company headquarters in Berching and at the approximately 25 subsidiaries worldwide. Of course, the award should also be understood as a recognition of all HUBER employees, because with their work they contribute significantly to this positive development. I would like to thank all in the HUBER family in Berching and around the world: Let us continue on the same successful path into the future.” Selection of award winners by independent jury according to objective criteria All award winners were selected by the independent jury, an auditing company, according to objective criteria on behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, State Development and Energy. The “Bavaria's Best 50” award was presented for the 21st time in 2022 and, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, will go into the next round in spring 2023.[...]
[...]High-ranking visitor at HUBER SE in Berching: The Bavarian State Minister of Finance and Home Affairs, Albert Füracker, visited HUBER's headquarters on Thursday, 8 September. In a personal discussion with the board members Dr. Oliver Rong (Chief Engineering & Production Officer, Deputy Chairman) and Rainer Köhler (Chief Sales Officer), Minister of State Füracker learned about the current order situation, the expansion of the site with the construction of the new production hall and how the company is mastering the global challenges. Minister of State Füracker exchanges experiences in his home district Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz Despite challenges, HUBER continues to grow and recruits employees across all company divisions Board members Dr Oliver Rong and Rainer Köhler: ”Our position in the market and the order situation are very positive and incoming orders are above plan: we are well placed for the future“ ”HUBER is still in a very positive situation with regard to the order situation and we are ahead of schedule with incoming orders,” said Dr Oliver Rong and Rainer Köhler during the exchange of experiences with State Minister Füracker. ”Of course, the current global situation is a challenge also for HUBER: increased costs for energy, material and transport logistics as well as the availability of staff and parts for production. We assure you that we are doing everything we can to master these challenges. Our position in the market and the order situation are very positive, we are still on a growth course and are hiring employees in all divisions: we are well prepared for the future.“ In addition, the two board members informed Minister of State Füracker about the progress of the new construction of production hall P3, which is expected to go into operation in spring 2023. He was visibly impressed by the size of the construction project with an enclosed area of approx. 7,000 m². Albert Füracker (*1968 in Parsberg) has been Bavarian State Minister of Finance and Home Affairs since 2018. Previously, he was State Secretary in the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance, State Development and Home Affairs from 2013 to 2018, after having already made a political career as a municipal, district and deputy district administrator as well as 2nd mayor.[...]
[...]The ”World of Clean Water“ opened the doors of its company headquarters: In bright sunshine, HUBER opened the gates of its corporate headquarters on Saturday, 2 July, from 8 am to 2 pm and invited the public to an open day. The interest of the visitors from the region was great, the cafeteria piazza accordingly full, the number of participants in the factory tours high. Even Berching's First Mayor Ludwig Eisenreich did not miss the opportunity, came to see for himself and exchanged views with Dr. Oliver Rong (Director Engineering & Production, Deputy CEO of HUBER SE) and Human Resources Manager Michael Hiller, among others. HUBER had a lot to offer for the visitors' entertainment: among other things, plant tours through the production halls, a visit to the HUBER Forum, as well as a colourful programme with food and drinks, water zorbing, a bouncy castle and a raffle. HUBER's HR staff were also available to answer questions on all topics related to careers, training and vacancies. In addition, HUBER supported the open-air event “Platzfest 2022“, which took place in the town centre of Berching in the evening, as an official sponsor. While the bands “Michael JackTs Net“ and “Django 3000“ provided musical entertainment on the main stage at Reichenauplatz, numerous associations and volunteers prepared all kinds of delicacies to eat and drink. “The opportunity to use this new start for a festival in the town centre after a two-year cultural break with HUBER SE is simply gigantic,“ said Veronica Platzek, head of Berching's town marketing. For HUBER, this successful event was also a fitting celebration of the company's 150th anniversary and another highlight in the anniversary year 2022.[...]
[...]Great honour for the Berching-based company HUBER: On Tuesday, 18 October 2022, Silke Auer, head of the Neumarkt IHK office, presented the honorary certificate of the Regensburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Upper Palatinate / Kelheim, to which the district of Neumarkt belongs. Certificate of honour from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Regensburg for Upper Palatinate / Kelheim, office Neumarkt i.d.OPf. Johanna Rong (member of the supervisory board and shareholder) and Georg Huber (CEO and shareholder) accepted the certificate of honour ”Certificate of honour for outstanding achievements on the occasion of the 150th business anniversary“ Johanna Rong (member of the supervisory board and shareholder) and Georg Huber (CEO and shareholder) accepted the certificate of honour in the brilliant sunshine in front of the HUBER Forum at the company headquarters in Berching-Erasbach. ”Certificate of Honour for Outstanding Achievements on the Occasion of the 150th Business Anniversary, in Loyal Association, with Best Congratulations,” is written on the certificate.[...]
[...]Ceremonial award of the prizes endowed with EUR 10,000 in the Berching town hall by Bavarian Environment Minister Dr. Marcel Huber. The mechanical, chemical and thermal energy in wastewater can contribute a substantial share to the use of renewable energy. Moreover, even the "waste" produced on sewage treatment plants is increasingly used as basis material for the production of valuable substances. This issue therefore was made the subject of this year’s international Huber Technology Prize 2014: Resources and Energy from Wastewater. A lot of students from Germany and abroad submitted their ideas, proposals and elaborate project works. It was not easy for the jury to choose the winners from the numerous candidates, but finally Prof. Dr. Wilderer (TU Munich, Institute for Advanced Study), Dr. Drewes (TU Munich), Dr. Bischof (University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden) and Dr. Grienberger (Chief Technology & Innovation Officer of HUBER SE) made their choice. In an official ceremony at the Berching town hall on 28 July 2014 the winners were announced and the prizes awarded to them by Bavarian Environment Minister Dr. Marcel Huber after the invited guest had been welcomed by Ludwig Eisenreich, mayor of Berching, and Willibald Gailler, head of the district authority as well as by Georg Huber, CEO of HUBER SE. Bavarian Environment Minister Marcel Huber pointed out that wastewater is a heat and energy source that will gain in importance in the future and a liquid raw material that must increasingly be utilised. In order to tap into the unused potential of discharged water the Bavarian Environment Ministry supports the practical implementation of innovative technologies and ideas. In Bad Abbach, Bavaria, for example, a pilot project for the energetic optimisation of smaller sewage treatment plants is currently carried out. The project is not only of regional importance but meaningful across the whole of Bavaria. Due to oxygen-free sewage sludge stabilisation biogas is generated. Two third of the power demand on site can be covered with this biogas. Prof. Dr. Wilderer explained the spirit and purpose of the Huber Technology Foundation and why the competition has for the first time been split into two categories, namely 'students' and 'doctoral researchers'. In his laudatory speech Prof. Dr. Bischof announced that two winners per category have been selected due to the high quality papers submitted by the competition participants. In the category 'doctoral reseachers' the prize money of € 2,500 went to Ms. Sabine Sané from Freiburg (Germany) and Mr. Quilin Wang from Brisbane, Australia. Ms. Sané is a doctoral student of the research group for bioelectrochemical systems at the Institute for Microsystems Technology of the Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg. In her paper "Energy-efficient removal of micro pollutants from wastewaters with hybrid microbial/enzymatic bioelectrical systems" she presented a bioelectrochemical system for the removal of micro pollutants. Her concept is highly innovative and takes up several ideas some of which have already been investigated individually and separately (enzymatic degradation of trace substances using fungi, electrochemical degradation of trace substances and energy generation). From the point of view of conventional wastewater technology, modern interdisciplinary issues are raised and combined with each other. Her idea shows new ways that are very interesting under scientific aspects and could stand for a real change in wastewater treatment. Qilin Wang, doctoral student at the Advanced Water Management Centre of the University of Queensland in Brisbane describes an approach how to improve the energy balance of a sewage treatment plant with the use of nitrous acid. His concept for an economical sludge treatment appears very innovative, well thought out and feasible in practice. Mr. Wang has proven individual steps of the described process by own preliminary studies. In the category 'students' the prize money of € 2,500 went to Ms. Alexandra Fumasoli from Switzerland and a team of two students from the University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden, Ms. Barbara Eschlbeck and Mr. Dominik Peter. Alexandra Fumasoli from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technolgy in Dübendorf describes a possibility how to produce in a simple way struvit (plant fertilizer) from urine with the use of an electrode and in this way recover the precious phosphate. Her idea is highly innovative and could represent a good solution for decentralized applications, also on a smaller scale. Barbara Eschlbeck and Dominik Peter, both students in the Master's degree course 'Environmental Technologies' at the University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden, convinced the jury with their topic 'Integration of a sewage treatment plant into the energy turnaround; MembraneBioReactor and power-to-gas – a combination with a future'. They describe a very innovative idea which represents a useful addition under the aspect of the energy turnaround and the resulting oversupply of electricity ('much wind and much sun at the same time') as well as under the aspect of wastewater treatment. Also the combination with modern membrane treatment systems and the use of permeate as basic product for electrolysis is very innovative. After the official award ceremony all winners and guests got together to enjoy a 'Bavarian buffet' in the assembly room of the town hall to conclude the evening in an informal atmosphere. The word "wastewater" is commonly associated with a negative image. It can sicken people, spread unpleasant odours and contaminate the environment. To avoid such negative effects and support the natural water cycle without damaging the environment, wastewater is treated. Wastewater has been treated under this aspect for many years, partly for decades. But not much specific attention has been paid to the individual substances contained within wastewater and not much has been done to utilize the great potential of wastewater as a resource, apart from reusing the nutrients contained. Climate change and the growing world population are however leading to a paradigm shift. For wastewater as a sink of all civilisation activities includes more than only water and nutrients. Rare earths, metals of limited availability and valuable elements are frequently contained within the wastewater generated in different fields of industry and in municipalities. The Huber Technology Prize motivates young scientists and students to go new ways for the benefit of our environment.[...]