Umicore awards sustainable ideas and innovations with €6,000

Regional website Germany

Hanau Sustainability Award 2026

For the tenth year in a row, outstanding projects from the region have been recognized with the Hanau Sustainability Award. This year’s award ceremony took place at the Congress Park Hanau. Umicore once again supported the event as sponsor of the “Ideas & Innovation” category (formerly Jury Award) and provided total prize money of €6,000. The award honored initiatives that are still in the planning phase and will receive funding through the prize to support their implementation.

Tenth anniversary with a new profile

The organizers used the anniversary of the Hanau Sustainability Award as an opportunity to further develop the award’s concept: the categories were revised and realigned to make current priorities in sustainable engagement more visible. A total of 15 initiatives and projects in the “Ideas & Innovation” category were recognized this year, contributing with their ideas and commitment to a livable and sustainable city. The award is organized by the Environmental Center Hanau together with the BNE network “Sustainably Connected – Hanau and Region.”

Sustainability as part of the company’s DNA

For Umicore, involvement in the Sustainability Award goes beyond sponsorship. It reflects the company’s core values. Through its products, the company actively contributes to the decarbonization of mobility: from automotive exhaust catalysts to battery materials and fuel cell technology. At the same time, Umicore closes the loop on precious and specialty metals—indispensable for the modern economy—through recycling.

“Sustainability requires people who take committed action. These are exactly the people and initiatives we want to highlight and strengthen with the ‘Ideas & Innovation’ category. The award winners impressively demonstrate the impact that can arise from local engagement,” said Katharina Brodt, Director Site Services at Umicore, during the award ceremony.

f.l.t.r.: Katharina Brodt, Director Site Services Umicore AG & Co. KG with Nina Keßler & Annika Ludwig from "Netzwerk Gemeinschaftliches Wohnen Hanau. Menschen verbinden, Zukunft gestalten".