Regensburg on Its Way to Becoming the New Center of Sensor Technology
In addition to biotechnology (BioRegio Regensburg) and the IT sector (IT Speicher Ostbayern GmbH), sensor technology is considered to be one of the new dynamic economic branches in the Regensburg region. Sensor systems technology is a classical cross-section technology, used in almost every economic branch. This type of industry is particularly important for local Regensburg companies. The region has not only users of sensors (e.g. Krones AG that uses about 3000 different types of sensors in its production, or Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, that develops electronics for small household appliances), but the region also offers producers of sensors, e.g. Infineon Technologies AG, Osram Opto Semiconductors or Siemens VDO Automotive.
Scientific competence results from the combined effort of the Department of Physics at the University of Regensburg and the Department of Microsystem Technology and Electric Technology at the University of Applied Sciences, Regensburg. Recently, on May 24, 2003, the new laboratory building for microsystem technology, near BioPark, was opened in a ceremony with Bavarian finance minister Hans Zehetmair. The new building features clean-room laboratories that are required for chip and sensor technology. A new research professorship sponsored by the Scheuback-Janssen Foundation and the Reinhausen machine factory has joined the Electric Technology Department. Large growth potential is being projected for Bio- and Chemosensors which are being developed by Prof. Wolfbeis in the Institute for Chemo- and Biosensors at the University, and being produced by the BioPark Regensburg firm PreSens (see also Press Release No. 23). Precision Sensing GmbH (PreSens) is also one of the ten companies to sign the sensor technology agreement.
Across the country there are about 700 companies involved in sensor technology. The market volume is estimated at 85 billion dollars a year with an upward tendency. Sensor technology is considered to be a global growth market. Market researchers are projecting a growth rate, for Germany, of eight to twelve percent.
The signed agreement for the Sensor Technology Partnership should lead the cluster development of Regensburg into the leading sensor technology region in Germany by the year 2010. The following plans have been made: The setting up of a communication platform, i.e. for internet, the founding of a work group for sensor technology, the coordination and combined trade show representation of the companies, the founding of a faculty for sensor technology, and the development of a research organization for sensor technology. The ultimate goal of the partnership should be the development and operation of a center for sensor technology in Regensburg (see also Press Release No. 18). The initiative is being coordinated by the Bureau for Economic Development and is being supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Employment (BMWA) as a part of its model program, “Strategic Partnership”. The initiative is also receiving scientific input from PLS Ramboll, Hamburg, a subsidiary of the RAMBØLL GRUPPE, which has a great deal of know-how in the area of strategic management.