The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany (BMWE) has recognised the achievements of a German-Polish innovation network coordinated by Chemnitz University of Technology. During the Innovation Day for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) 2026 in Berlin, the META Innovation Network was honoured with the prestigious title of “ZIM Network of the Year 2026.”
This distinction is also a significant achievement for the University of Zielona Góra, a long-standing partner of Chemnitz University of Technology and an active participant in the award-winning initiative.
The award, presented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, recognises the network's outstanding achievements in facilitating technology and knowledge transfer between academia and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The certificate was received by Prof. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation at the University of Zielona Góra and International Coordinator of the Network, together with Dr Matthias Rehm, one of the two network coordinators from the Chair of Factory Systems and Production Processes at Chemnitz University of Technology.
The distinction highlights the network's exceptional contribution to supporting SMEs, particularly in implementing Industry 4.0 solutions. The initiative focused on intelligent approaches to automation and the monitoring of manufacturing processes. To achieve these goals, the network combined advanced methods of digitalisation, machine learning, process data analytics, and data-driven approaches with practical applications in manufacturing technologies.
META is one of the first German-Polish innovation networks funded under the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) and the first ZIM network to have been established at Chemnitz University of Technology. Between 2019 and 2023, the network expanded from an initial group of seven German industrial partners into an international community comprising 29 industrial and research partners from Germany and Poland.
Over the course of the project, the META network implemented a total of 14 ZIM research projects, consisting of 37 individual sub-projects, with funding amounting to approximately €6.3 million.
These projects generated numerous technological innovations in the fields of manufacturing technologies and automation, robotics, sensor technologies, and digitalisation. They resulted in the development of new products and industrial solutions, ranging from intelligent condition-monitoring systems and digital twins for manufacturing plants to resource-efficient production processes and modular robotics solutions.
Beyond its economic impact, META has made a significant contribution to sustainable development, resource efficiency, and workforce development. Numerous projects focused on reducing environmental impact, optimising energy and material consumption, and improving working conditions in industrial production.
At the same time, the network has played an important role in strengthening international knowledge and technology transfer between Germany and Poland.
One of the most notable outcomes of this collaboration is the international Erasmus Mundus Master's programme “Meta4.0 – Manufacturing 4.0 through Intelligent and Sustainable Technologies”, developed jointly with European university partners. Since 2023, the programme has been educating highly qualified international students in the field of digital and sustainable manufacturing, preparing the next generation of specialists for the industries of the future.
Importantly, the network's partners have successfully continued their cooperation even after the official funding period came to an end. Joint research and development projects are still being carried out under both national and international funding schemes, as well as through direct institutional collaboration.
Among the initiatives currently under preparation are new European projects dedicated to sustainable manufacturing and the development of innovative production technologies, further demonstrating the lasting impact and future potential of this successful German-Polish partnership.
