Umicore supports a student project at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences focused on “clean mobility”

• Through its “Powered by Umicore” initiative, the materials technology and recycling group Umicore supports student teams working on projects related to clean mobility.
• Students from eMotorsports Cologne at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH) are developing “Umicore Loup”—a sustainable electric vehicle.
• During a visit to the Hanau site, the team gets to know its new main sponsor better.

As part of the global “Powered by Umicore” initiative launched in 2013, Umicore provides financial support to a total of five student teams now working on clean mobility. In addition to three Belgian and one U.S. team, the company is now also the main sponsor of the eMotorsports Cologne team at TH Köln.

The more than 30 students—mostly engineering majors—are enthusiastically involved in the design and construction of an electric vehicle alongside their studies. Their responsibilities also include project management, communication, and logistics. “Resource scarcity is an issue that affects us all, and as future engineers, we can’t start addressing it early enough. That’s why we’re working on new mobility concepts with an eye toward the future and developing a battery-powered race car,” said Leander Thorne, CEO of eMotorsports Cologne. “Our goal is to participate in various Formula Student events with a fully functional vehicle, including the race in Hockenheim in mid-August. Thanks to Umicore’s support, we have already been able to begin planning our ‘Umicore Loup’ vehicle to ensure it’s ready for the starting line on time.”

During a visit to Umicore’s Hanau site, the team also got to meet its new main sponsor in person. They gained a wide range of insights—whether through informative and practical presentations on clean mobility or project management, or by touring the test center for automotive exhaust catalysts. In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Bernhard Fuchs, CEO of Umicore AG & Co. KG, reaffirmed the decision to sponsor eMotorsports Cologne: “Just like us, you are working to advance the cause of ‘clean mobility.’ That is why I am very pleased to welcome you here today. You convinced us not only with your concept; your great motivation and strong team spirit were also decisive factors for us.“

In the coming weeks and months, following the completion of the design phase, the student team will focus on finalizing and testing ”Umicore Loup." The first race of the season will take place from July 20 to 23 in Hungary; from August 8 to 13, the team will then participate in the major Formula Student Germany competition in Hockenheim, before the racing season concludes for them in Barcelona in August.

About “Powered by Umicore”

In 2013, Umicore launched its new sponsorship program, “Powered by Umicore,” for student initiatives. Under this slogan, the company provides support for a range of projects focused on clean mobility, carried out by student teams from various universities and technical colleges.

Clean mobility is one way to address the global challenges of improving energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions, and ensuring clean air. Through the “Powered by Umicore” program, the company aims to encourage students’ engagement with sustainable technologies, such as rechargeable batteries and photovoltaics, and to incentivize them to develop innovative solutions. Umicore also hopes to raise general awareness of the topic of clean mobility in this way.

In recent years, the sponsorship initiative has already supported more than 300 students from Belgium, Germany, and the U.S. The teams competed with futuristic, self-built vehicles, for example in the Formula Student Challenges. Umicore covers half of the development costs for each vehicle and invested nearly 135,000 euros in the program in 2016. With eMotorsports Cologne from TH Köln, the company is supporting a German team for the second time as part of “Powered by Umicore.”