Expertise from local research partners – Technology Transfer Centre (TTZ) for Hydrogen & Lightweight Construction in Gersthofen

At the Technology Transfer Centre (TTZ) in Gersthofen, part of Augsburg University of Applied Sciences (THA), researchers have been working since 2025 in collaboration with local companies to develop and apply modern, practice-oriented approaches in the fields of lightweight construction and hydrogen technology.

In the face of the energy transition and climate change, businesses are facing growing challenges in terms of energy consumption, climate protection and global competition. Energy-efficient, climate-friendly technologies are needed to sustain industrial sites in the long term. The TTZ Gersthofen therefore focuses on three key technologies: hydrogen, lightweight construction and digital technologies.
The aim of the new ‘Hydrogen, Lightweight Construction & Digital Technologies’ centre is to strengthen the competitiveness of Bavarian companies – particularly in Gersthofen and the Augsburg region. The centre aims to support companies in tapping into climate-neutral energy sources, making production more sustainable and developing innovative solutions, for example in the field of mobility.
The funding comes from the ‘Hightech Transfer Bayern’ initiative, which forms part of the Hightech Agenda Bayern with a total budget of around 5.5 billion euros.
Following the decision by the Bavarian Cabinet, the Augsburg region is set to gain another technology transfer centre. Bavaria’s Minister for Science, Markus Blume, emphasises: “Technology transfer is a key component of Bavaria’s High-Tech Agenda: through these technology transfer centres, we are extending technology transfer to all regions of Bavaria – from scientific discovery to business practice. This will enable us to further develop Bavaria as a comprehensive business and technology hub.”
The Gersthofen Technology Transfer Centre (TTZ) is the fifth technology transfer centre run by Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and is also supported by the town of Gersthofen.

Support from the political sphere and the research community

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Gordon Thomas Rohrmair, President of Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, highlights the close regional links: “There are many businesses in and around Gersthofen in the fields of logistics, as well as in the chemical and plastics processing industries. At the new TTZ, we will work together with these companies to develop forward-looking digital solutions in lightweight construction for hydrogen-based technologies.”
Michael Wörle, Mayor of Gersthofen, adds: “The topics of digitalisation, innovation and sustainable production are a perfect fit for the town of Gersthofen and the companies in the region. Together with the university, we will put the necessary infrastructure in place so that the TTZ can launch in 2025 in an ideal environment.”

Scientific leadership and networking

Prof. Dr.-Ing. André Baeten and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Neven Majic from the Faculty of Mechanical and Process Engineering will head the TTZ. Both are recognised experts in the field of lightweight construction and fibre composite technologies and have close links with regional and national partners – including the Fraunhofer IGCV, the DLR-ZLP and the MRM Institute at the University of Augsburg.
Furthermore, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences is also a key driving force in the field of hydrogen research. One example is the K-AXFLUX-H2 project, in which, under the leadership of Prof. Baeten and in cooperation with the University of Augsburg, a cryogenic hydrogen cooling system is being developed for a novel propulsion system in the field of urban air mobility.

TTZ as drivers of innovation in Bavaria

The Gersthofen Technology Transfer Centre (TTZ) complements the four existing Augsburg University of Applied Sciences (TH Augsburg) sites in Nördlingen, Donauwörth, Landsberg and Aichach. The Bavarian State Government’s long-term aim is to establish a TTZ in every district. The Technology Transfer Centres follow a clear approach: applied, practice-oriented research projects that are directly geared towards the needs of the regional economy. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises that do not have their own research departments are thus given the opportunity to commission targeted, application-oriented research projects. In this way, the universities become development partners for local businesses – supported by the local authorities, which provide the infrastructure and networks.

With its new site in Gersthofen, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences is further expanding its role as an innovation partner for the region. Through close collaboration between academia, politics, industry and local authorities, a centre is being created that brings together the key future technologies of hydrogen and lightweight construction, thereby making an important contribution to the sustainable transformation of industry.