Knorr-Bremse Circular Technology Award Drives Green Tech Innovation

Knorr-Bremse AG has introduced the Knorr-Bremse Circular Technology Award, inviting start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises to develop scalable solutions for automated disassembly and the recovery of critical raw materials. The initiative aligns with the company’s long-term sustainability strategy and its ambition to expand into green technology.
As the global market leader in braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, Knorr-Bremse is positioning circular economy innovation as a key pillar of future growth. The award is designed to accelerate technologies that improve resource efficiency while supporting industrial-scale implementation.
Knorr-Bremse Circular Technology Award and Strategic Collaboration
The program is being implemented in cooperation with the Heinz Hermann Thiele Family Foundation and CIRCULAR REPUBLIC, the circular economy hub at Europe’s largest innovation center, UnternehmerTUM. This collaboration connects industrial expertise with start-up innovation to advance practical circular economy applications.
Funding and Opportunities for Award Winners
The Knorr-Bremse Circular Technology Award will recognize four winners. Each selected company will receive:

• EUR 25,000 in prize money

• Access to a proof-of-concept project with Knorr-Bremse

• Potential project funding of up to EUR 150,000

Through this initiative, Knorr-Bremse aims to foster sustainable technologies that support automated disassembly and raw material recovery while strengthening its role in the evolving green technology ecosystem.