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Bundespreis Ecodesign Preisverleihung 2025 Sandra Kühnapfel © IDZ

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German Ecodesign Award 2025 Presented

02 December 2025

From mushroom coffins to AI, the presentation of the 2025 German Ecodesign Award in Berlin on 1 December once again highlighted the role that visionary design plays in ecological change.

Fourteen outstanding projects were honoured with the German Ecodesign Award in the atriums of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, ranging from bio-based materials and modular technology to digital services for the circular economy. The award-winning entries demonstrate the diversity of sustainable design. Examples include LOVR, a recyclable hemp material from Revoltech in Darmstadt, and 'The world's first mushroom coffin' from Loop Biotech in Delft — a compostable coffin made from mycelium. Also receiving an award in the “Product” category was the SHIFTphone 8 from SHIFT GmbH, a modular, repairable smartphone from Hesse. Another winner in this category was Novelis' fully recycled aluminium car sheet metal.

Digital Services and Circular Visions

Three Berlin projects impressed in the “Service” category: “fix1.today” from FixFirst, a digital platform for repairs and other circular services; the “orto space” software solution from orto GmbH, which supports the construction industry in identifying potential for reuse and managing existing projects; and an AI-supported waste management system from Wasteer. Miele also presented forward-looking concepts with a design study for a circular vacuum cleaner, as did EIGNER Bau with a lightweight concrete ceiling designed to save resources and CO₂.

Young Talents With Vision

Three student projects were honoured in the 'Nachwuchs' category: 'Amber', an AI-supported, non-invasive device for the early detection of bark beetle infestation; 'Felt the Future – walking with wool', a textile research project on the sustainable use of wool; and 'Reefine' by Zhong-Wei Lin from the Royal College of Art, which is a design approach to coral reef regeneration.

Since 2012, the award has been presented by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Environment Agency, and the International Design Centre Berlin. At the award ceremony, Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, emphasised: 'Ecodesign makes us more resilient and independent.' UBA President Dirk Messner emphasised the importance of providing a platform for pioneers and sending impulses to industries.

The next call for entries will begin on 19 January 2026.