As part of the BioBricks4Production project within Bio4MatPro, the Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Business Models recently hosted the first in a series of Design Thinking workshops. This workshop focused on user requirements for the anti-corrosive functionality of bio-based coating technologies based on bifunctional assemblies.

The event brought together experts from academia and industry to explore how user perspectives can inform technological development and facilitate future adoption. The workshop opened with remarks from Prof. Stefanie Bröring, who highlighted the role of emerging technologies in enabling transformation processes across industries. The workshop also featured three expert inputs: two from the technical teams at AbbT and MTI (RWTH Aachen), who presented the latest advancements in anti-corrosive coating technology, and a third summarizing key insights from interviews with experts and potential users. These findings shed light on market potential, adoption barriers, and opportunities for technology transfer.

Building on these inputs, participants took part in a Design Thinking session to identify development potentials grounded in user needs. This methodology aligns with the chair’s research agenda, which focuses on the emergence of technological innovation systems, the transformation of incumbent firms, and the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities.

We thank all participants for their valuable contributions. The workshop series will continue with sessions focusing on anti-microbial and superhydrophobic functionalities of the technology.