OWI

What OWI does

OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH is a non-profit applied research institute founded in 1998 and headquartered in Herzogenrath, Germany, operating as an An-Institut of RWTH Aachen University. It focuses on the energy-efficient utilization of liquid conventional and alternative fuels, with research and service coverage spanning fuels characterization (Energieträger), energy systems (Energiesysteme), high-temperature technology (Hochtemperaturtechnik), and hydrogen technology (Wasserstofftechnologie). Its core service portfolio includes catalyst testing, chemical analytics, CFD simulation, high-temperature material testing, combustion process investigation, energy system simulation, and hydrogen-related services, delivered to industrial OEMs and energy majors such as Bosch Thermotechnik, Siemens, OMV, and Volkswagen, alongside academic partners including Fraunhofer ISE and TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

The institute generates revenue through a mix of public research funding — including EU Horizon Europe projects (Fit4Micro, E-TANDEM), BMWK programs, IGF/ZIM initiatives, and state-level schemes — and direct industrial contract research. It also offers a funding-screening and advisory service for companies seeking public R&D grants. AI methods are applied internally, notably neural networks for acoustic combustion signal analysis and AI-supported image analysis for thermography and microscopy, but these remain research-tooling rather than productized AI offerings.

As of August 2025, OWI employed 29 staff. At the end of 2025 the institute was acquired by en2x, an industry association, and in early 2026 a dual managing-director structure was installed under Karolina Kumarasingham and Dr.-Ing. Sangeetha Ramaswamy. The institute is positioning itself to expand beyond its legacy liquid-fuels core into hydrogen and e-fuels research, and is hosting the INFUB 2026 conference to consolidate its role in the European combustion research community.

Name

OWI

Legal name

OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH

Website

https://owi-aachen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH is a German non-profit research institute (An-Institut of RWTH Aachen) applying combustion, high-temperature, and hydrogen technology research and testing services to industrial OEMs, energy majors, and public funding consortia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Fuel and Combustion Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

E‑Fuels & Synthetic Hydrocarbons (e‑kerosene, e‑diesel, e‑gasoline, e‑methane) (EUABAIAA)

Keywords

• Fuel research services
• Combustion technology testing
• High-temperature material testing
• Chemical fuel analytics
• Hydrogen technology research

Headquarters

HQ city

Herzogenrath

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Publicly Funded Research Projects: Research projects financed through public funding programs including EU (Horizon Europe), federal (BMWK, IGF, ZIM), and state-level programs. Particularly attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises.
2. Industrial Research Contracts: Direct commissioning of applied research and development projects for industry clients including manufacturers of heating systems, automotive suppliers, mineral oil companies, and thermoprocessing technology companies.
3. Laboratory and Testing Services: Industry-oriented services including catalyst testing, chemical analytics, flow simulation, high-temperature material investigation, combustion analysis, and energetic system analyses.
4. Funding Advisory Services: Funding opportunity identification, strategic consulting for project conception, consortium building, lead application management, and communication with funding bodies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH is a non-profit applied research institute that delivers contract research, laboratory testing, and technical consulting services to industrial clients and public funding programs. Its portfolio spans eight research services covering combustion process investigation, CFD flow simulation, chemical analytics of fuels, catalyst testing, high-temperature material testing, energy system simulation, funding advisory, and hydrogen technology — serving heating manufacturers, automotive suppliers, mineral oil companies, and thermoprocessing technology firms.

Product overview

OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH is a non-profit research institute (An-Institut der RWTH Aachen) offering research services and testing capabilities rather than a unified software product. The portfolio consists of eight distinct research service offerings: Katalysatortests und -alterungen (catalyst testing and aging), Chemische Analytik (chemical analytics), Strömungssimulation (CFD flow simulation using Ansys Fluent), Untersuchung von Hochtemperaturmaterialien (high-temperature material testing), Fördermittelscreening und -beschaffung (funding screening), Untersuchung technischer Verbrennungsprozesse (combustion process investigation), Energetische Systemsimulationen (energy system simulation), and Herstellung/Transport/Nutzung von Wasserstoff (hydrogen services). These services support the company's core research areas: Energieträger (energy carriers), Energiesysteme (energy systems), Hochtemperaturtechnik (high-temperature technology), and Wasserstofftechnologie (hydrogen technology).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Katalysatortests und -alterungen (Catalyst Testing and Aging) Catalyst testing and aging services for heterogeneous catalysis applications including reforming, cracking, oxidation, and exhaust gas treatment. Provides flexible automated test programs with customer-specific feed matrices in temperature ranges from –40 °C to above 1000 °C, serving industrial R&D clients in fuels, emissions, and chemical processing.
• Chemische Analytik (Chemical Analytics) Independent operating materials laboratory providing qualified analysis of liquid fuels (Diesel, heating oil, HVO, biodiesel, special fuels) and technical liquids (thermo oils, coolants, lubricants). Testing covers oxidation stability, water content, acid number, cetane number, metal content, aromatic content, distillation, corrosion, turbidity, and color measurement.
• Strömungssimulation (CFD Flow Simulation) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using Ansys Fluent for the design and optimization of components and processes including burners, reactors, mixers, and evaporators. Covers flow, heat transfer, mass transport, and chemical reactions for industrial clients developing combustion and process equipment.
• Untersuchung von Hochtemperaturmaterialien (High-Temperature Material Testing) Material resistance testing for metallic materials in customer-specific atmospheres (oxidation, reduction, protective gases, gas mixtures), aging tests at 500–1100 °C, identification of damage mechanisms (metal dusting, Cr evaporation), microstructure analysis, lifetime tests of heating elements, and creep bending tests under realistic temperature cycles up to at least 1050 °C.
• Fördermittelscreening und -beschaffung (Funding Screening and Procurement) Funding advisory service covering identification of suitable EU, federal, and state-level funding programs; strategic consulting on project conception; building international consortia; and leading application processes with funding bodies. Particularly targeted at SMEs lacking internal grant-writing capacity.
• Untersuchung technischer Verbrennungsprozesse (Technical Combustion Process Investigation) Experimental investigation of technical combustion processes including burner tests and development for liquid and gaseous fuels, mixture formation and spray characterization, testing with alternative fuels (H2, NH3, pyrolysis oils, distillation residues, oil-solid suspensions), pre-vaporization and air-staging concepts, and exhaust gas analysis.
• Energetische Systemsimulationen (Energy System Analyses) Energy system analyses including mass and energy balances, development and evaluation of energy efficiency measures, system coupling studies, and consulting on thermal insulation including thermography. Supports industrial clients in identifying efficiency gains and process integration opportunities.
• Herstellung, Transport und Nutzung von Wasserstoff (Hydrogen Services) Hydrogen-related research services including realistic component tests for hydrogen applications, system component design, safety consultation, analytics of hydrogen-containing gases, and design and operation of testing environments for experiments with flammable and toxic gases.

Quantifiable outcome

• ProcessLIB project demonstrated >20% energy savings potential in industrial furnaces through waste heat recovery
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

42 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• en2x – Wirtschaftsverband Fuels und Energie e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization. en2x took over full ownership of OWI at the end of 2025, strengthening the association's direct connection to applied energy research. The institute provides research support for the mineral oil industry's transformation toward climate-neutral energy solutions.
• RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOWI is an An-Institut (affiliated institute) of RWTH Aachen, providing academic connection while maintaining financial, organizational, and personnel independence. Collaborates on various research projects.
• DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific advisory board member. OWI participates in DECHEMA expert group for alternative liquid and gaseous fuels (FG-AKB). Active collaboration at DECHEMA annual meetings.
• Forschungsgemeinschaft Industrieofenbau e.V. (FOGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOWI is a research center of FOGI and extraordinary member. Participates in IGF-funded projects and annual scientific advisory board meetings. Collaboration on thermoprocessing industry research.
• DGMK (Deutsche Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für nachhaltige Energieträger, Mobilität und Kohlenstoffkreisläufe e.V.)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in DGMK technical committees including Working Group on Additives for Fuels, Fuel Technical Committee, and FAM DIN Committee for mineral oil and fuel standardization.
• The Combustion Institute - Deutsche Sektion e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association membership supporting combustion research and knowledge exchange.
• Bosch Thermotechnik GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member and scientific advisory board participant. Active in hydrogen and heating technology research collaboration.
• Siemens AG – Smart InfrastructuremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member supporting research in energy systems and smart infrastructure technologies.
• OMV Refining & Marketing GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member supporting research on alternative fuels and energy transition technologies.
• TU Bergakademie Freiberg (IWTT and GWA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on ammonia cracking research, thermoacoustic flame monitoring project (SeEWOf), and high-temperature process technology. Partner in multiple joint research projects.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Horizon Europe project Fit4Micro for micro-CHP system development. Collaboration on renewable energy system integration.
• MITISminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in Fit4Micro micro-CHP system development under Horizon Europe program.
• COGEN EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in European micro-CHP research consortium promoting combined heat and power technologies.
• BTG Biomass Technology GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Fit4Micro project focusing on biomass and biofuel technologies.
• DECHEMA ForschungsinstitutmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on ProcessLIB project and other research initiatives. Partner in industrial furnace and boiler research.
• Fraunhofer IFAMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in INFUB conference presentations and advanced manufacturing technology research.
• Forschungsinstitut für Wasserwirtschaft und Klimazukunft an der RWTH Aachen (FiW)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Green-Bee and B2M-Raman projects for methanol synthesis from biogas. Collaboration on water management and climate future research.
• Institut für Umwelt & Energie, Technik & Analytik e.V. (IUTA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in B2M-Raman project for dynamic biogas-to-methanol process optimization. Collaboration on environmental and energy technology.
• ERC Additiv GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member and scientific advisory board participant. Active in additive research for fuels.
• Webasto AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member supporting research in heating and climate control solutions.
• Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member in automotive climate control research collaboration.
• Deutsche Shell Holding GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific advisory board member contributing to energy transition research.
• Mabanaft GmbH + Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific advisory board member supporting fuel industry research.
• Volkswagen AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific advisory board member contributing to automotive fuel research.
• ASG Analytik-Service Gesellschaft mbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member and analytical services partner.
• GMA – Gesellschaft für Mineralöl-Analytik und Qualitätsmanagement mbH + Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member in mineral oil analytics and quality management.
• Avenergy SuisseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member supporting alternative energy research.
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft Qualitätsmanagement Biodiesel e. V. (AGQM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding member and membership in biodiesel quality management association.
• Institut für Energie und Umwelttechnik e.V. (IUTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in energy and environmental technology institute.
• Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional membership supporting oil and protein plant research.
• ETA-Florence Renewable EnergiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean partner in Fit4Micro project focusing on renewable energy systems.
• Fahrenheit GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in micro-CHP system development project.
• Aalborg UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Fit4Micro research consortium.
• UMONSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in European micro-CHP research project.
• BtX energy GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BioMeSyn project for biomethanol production from biogas.
• BtX energy GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BioMeSyn project for biomethanol production from biogas.
• Aspens GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BioMeSyn project for biomethanol synthesis.
• DBFZ Deutsches Biomasse Forschungszentrum gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BioMeSyn biomethane to methanol research.
• Warmser Bioenergie GmbH & Co.KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSite partner in BioMeSyn project for pilot biomethanol production.
• AgroEnergie Bierde GmbH & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSite partner in BioMeSyn project for biomethanol production pilot.
• ITMC RWTH Aachen UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in E-Fuels aging project investigating deposit formation in burner components.
• DECHEMA Forschungsinstitut (DFI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in MatELHeat project for electric heating element material development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT: Fraunhofer institute covering alternative fuels, energy systems, and high-temperature processes — directly overlapping OWI's fuel technology, combustion, and hydrogen research portfolio and serving similar industrial customers with contract R&D.
• GMA – Gesellschaft für Mineralöl-Analytik und Qualitätsmanagement: Specialized German mineral-oil analytics and quality-management service provider. OWI funding-member partner and near-clone competitor in fuel analytics and quality testing for the petroleum value chain.
• ASG Analytik-Service Gesellschaft: German analytical-services firm specializing in fuel and mineral-oil testing. Already an OWI funding-member partner; closest direct competitor in commercial fuel analytics for the German mineral-oil industry.
• Fraunhofer ISE (Solar Energy Systems): Freiburg-based Fraunhofer institute for solar energy and energy systems. Partners with OWI on the Horizon Europe Fit4Micro micro-CHP project; comparable as a German applied-research institute serving energy-industry customers.
• Institut für Energie- und Umwelttechnik (IUTA): Duisburg-based non-profit research institute for energy and environmental technology. Already an OWI partner (B2M-Raman) with overlapping expertise in fuel analytics, gas processing, and emission characterization.
• DECHEMA Forschungsinstitut (DFI): Frankfurt-based applied research institute focused on industrial chemistry, process technology, and materials for energy applications. Directly comparable to OWI: both serve German process industries with contract R&D, collaborate on joint projects (ProcessLIB, MatELHeat), and overlap in high-temperature materials and chemical analytics.
• DBFZ Deutsches Biomasse Forschungszentrum: German applied research center for biomass and bioenergy; already an OWI project partner (BioMeSyn). Comparable as a publicly funded, non-profit institute conducting contract R&D for industry on alternative fuels and bio-based energy carriers.

Broad incumbents

• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization with energy transition, fuels, and industrial-process expertise. Comparable contract R&D model serving European industrial customers; broader portfolio and larger scale than OWI.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Nordic applied research organization with deep energy, fuel, and process-technology capabilities. Larger and broader than OWI, but commercially comparable as a contract R&D provider to industrial energy clients across Europe.
• SINTEF: Norway's largest applied research institute, with significant energy, petroleum, and process-technology divisions. Comparable business model (contract R&D for industry and public sector) but at much greater scale and geographic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OWI_Aachen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/owi-aachen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OWI