MaterialsWeek 2025 has once again established itself as a central platform for the exchange between research and application. From 01 to 04 April 2025, the specialist community gathered at the Riedberg Campus to discuss trends, technologies and strategies for the future of materials science. The high level of participation from industry – about 35% of the participants – underlines the growing importance of practice-oriented cooperation.

A key feature of the event was its openness to interdisciplinary dialogue. Whether between lectures and poster presentations, over coffee or lunch, the informal atmosphere encouraged spontaneous discussions and helped to strengthen existing networks and build new ones. This interplay of scientific ambition and personal exchange was a decisive factor in the success of MaterialsWeek 2025.

Topics ranged from the digitalization of materials research to the development of sustainable materials. Artificial intelligence, virtual materials design, and data-driven modeling were discussed in depth, as were solutions for closed-loop materials cycles and new approaches to recycling. Innovations in high-performance batteries, functional materials and adaptive systems were also in the spotlight. There was particular demand for discussions on topics where microstructure, macroscopic properties and production technologies need to be considered together, for example in lightweight construction or safety-critical applications.

Another key topic was the advancement of testing and analysis methods. Modern material characterization, coupled with data-driven evaluation, is a prerequisite for the development of reliable and efficient materials. This aspect is becoming increasingly important, especially with regard to sustainability and resource efficiency.

Steel Innovation 2025, held on 03 and 04 April as part of MaterialsWeek, focused on advanced steel technologies. Among the topics discussed were advances in the production and application of high-strength and corrosion-resistant steels, digital approaches to steel production and solutions for the integration of steel in a future hydrogen economy. The close thematic dovetailing with MaterialsWeek created additional synergies.

MaterialsWeek 2025 impressively demonstrated that scientific excellence and industrial practice are not mutually exclusive, but mutually beneficial. The diversity of perspectives, the quality of the contributions and the openness to cooperation made the event a lively forum for all those who see materials as a key technology of the future.