Projects

The Baden-Württemberg port strategy strengthens the role of inland ports on the Rhine, Neckar, and Main rivers in climate-neutral freight transport and responds to declining transport volumes on waterways in the 2040 federal transport forecast. The topic page outlines the approach, work packages, freight flow analyses, and transformation paths for politics, the port industry, and logistics companies, and brings together in-depth information on the project.

StöSi is investigating how a modular toolkit can strengthen continuity management in ports. The IHATEC project analyzes processes, disruption scenarios, and baseline data in inland ports. It defines a reference dataset, tests visualizations and training concepts, and evaluates the project’s transferability at Westhafen Berlin.

Circle4Value develops platform-based system knowledge for circular value creation. The accompanying project combines research findings from EUREKA consortia with methods for LCA, digital product passports, business models, matching, and technology transfer. The goal is to establish a robust foundation for global innovation networks in the circular economy.

RE.build is a pioneering project for circular construction in the Recklinghausen district. The initiative combines the new construction of the Kreishanderwerkschaft (district craftsmen association) as a real-world laboratory, a physical building materials warehouse, a digital platform and educational and governance components. The goal is to create a transferable system that closes local material loops and strengthens the circular economy in the construction sector.

Wagonload freight is under significant economic pressure. The Rail Capacity Broker strengthens this segment by providing transparency into rail freight capacity, identifying traffic flows suited to wagonload freight, and connecting suppliers with customers. A transportation algorithm maps out virtual wagonload transport networks, shows available capacity, increases the utilization of existing trains, and reduces costs.

The @ILO digital twin maps every package, every asset, and every process in the transit terminal in real time. Data Matrix codes on the loading units and hundreds of optical scanning units mounted on the warehouse ceiling replace manual scans and daily inventory checks. The system also locates misplaced packages much more quickly. Dachser and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) developed the technology in the Dachser Enterprise Lab.

The Digital Testbed Air Cargo (DTAC) develops and tests digital applications for air cargo logistics at several German airport locations. The focus is on standardized data exchange, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, digital documents and simulation for air cargo logistics. In this way, the project creates robust building blocks for a secure air cargo supply chain and the development of digital air cargo solutions.

With the WarehouseDesigner warehouse design software, you can transform warehouse layout sketches into compliant digital layouts in seconds. AI-based computer vision recognizes functional areas, capacities, and labels—for faster concept phases, reliable variant comparisons, and transparent, data-driven warehouse planning.

Aulis ist ein agentenbasiertes, modulares Betriebssystem für die Intralogistik, das den innerbetrieblichen Transport von Gütern mit Fahrerlosen Transportfahrzeugen (FTF) und autonomen mobilen Robotern (AMR) effizient organisiert. Durch die konsequente Verwendung offener De-facto Standards wie der VDA 5050 und M2X bleibt Aulis herstellerunabhängig und flexibel. Dies ermöglicht eine einfache und nahtlose Integration in bestehende IT-Landschaften – ganz im Sinne eines echten Plug'n'Play-Ansatzes.

Starting in 2027, manufacturers in the EU will be required to provide a Digital Product Passport for certain products. The EmpowerDPP research project develops data management concepts and identifies service opportunities. It supports companies in meeting regulatory requirements while simultaneously exploring new value-creation opportunities.