Researchers from ten institutes joined forces as part of the “Innovation network for technological advancement in component, process and material design for mass-formed automotive components,” focusing on new steel and steel hybrid solutions for lightweight chassis and drive train construction. As the Research Association for Steel Application (FOSTA) reports , the research yielded material concepts and production techniques for high-performance gear wheels and innovative piston pins, among others. All projects took resource efficiency and the carbon footprint into consideration, as well as practical implementation: Over 60 companies worked in close collaboration with the scientists. The final reports are expected to be available in early 2019.

The Federal Ministry of Economics (BMWi) also supports cross-technology networking in the industry with its Lightweight Construction Initiative . A dedicated office is now the place to go for businesses, researchers and politicians. Among other things, it will provide companies with recommendations for action and best-practice examples.