What Forum Rathenau e.V. does

Forum Rathenau e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2020 and headquartered in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, with operations anchored at the industrial heritage site Kraftwerk Zschornewitz — a decommissioned lignite-fired power plant originally commissioned in 1918. The organization functions as a multi-stakeholder network platform that connects partners from industry, science, culture, and politics to rethink carbon and advance the structural transformation of the Central German region (Mitteldeutsches Revier) toward a post-fossil economy. Its core offerings are organized under the Transferkraftwerk Kohlenstoff platform and span a hybrid discussion format (CarbonCycleCultureClub / C4), a published baseline study on carbon economy (Basisstudie Kohlenstoffwirtschaft), an industry-cooperation network (Kooperationsnetzwerk Chemie+), a business-model acceleration program (Create New Chemistry), an organizational change program (Transformations- und Innovationsprogramm), a youth experimental workshop (ABI LAB), and a real-laboratory project in Zeitz (Reallabor ZEKIWA Zeitz RZZ). A knowledge-retrieval chatbot called CarbonChat extends the corpus digitally using Voyage AI embeddings, MongoDB vector search, and Anthropic language models.

The business model is non-commercial: the association is membership-based, supported by member fees, and appears to derive additional funding from public grants and project partnerships (e.g., EU New European Bauhaus, CTC, regional development agencies). Most public events and programs are free, and the organization employs approximately 7 staff, relying on a broad base of board members, speakers, and institutional partners to deliver programming. Key strategic partners include Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau, Hochschule Anhalt, Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle, the Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC), LEAG, Miltitz Aromatics, the Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep), and Stadt Zeitz. Governance is led by Professor Ralf Wehrspohn as Chairman of the Board, with board members including Martina Schön and Patrice Heine (Managing Director of Chemiepark Bitterfeld-Wolfen).

Name

Forum Rathenau e.V.

Legal name

Forum Rathenau e.V.

Website

https://forum-rathenau.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Forum Rathenau e.V. is a German non-profit association networking partners from industry, science, culture, and politics to drive the carbon-economy transformation of the Central German region, anchored at the Kraftwerk Zschornewitz industrial heritage site.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Transformation Network Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Sector-Specific Net-Zero Pathways & Benchmarking (hard-to-abate methodologies) (EUABAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environment, Climate & Sustainability Congresses (THAHAJAH), Carbon Neutrality/Claims Strategy & Communications (claims substantiation, greenwashing risk) (EUABAKAK)

Keywords

• Industrial transformation consulting
• Carbon economy research
• Science communication services
• Youth education programs
• Chemical industry networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Bitterfeld-Wolfen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Forum Rathenau operates as a registered association (e.V.) supported by membership fees from individual and organizational members who join to participate in the network and support the transformation toward a post-fossil economy.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Forum Rathenau e.V. runs a network-oriented transformation platform for the Central German industrial region, delivering hybrid discussion events (CarbonCycleCultureClub / C4), a comprehensive carbon economy baseline study, business model programs (Create New Chemistry), an industry cooperation network (Kooperationsnetzwerk Chemie+), a transformation and innovation program for leadership teams, youth education through the ABI LAB experimental workshop, and an AI-powered CarbonChat knowledge chatbot. Its physical anchor is the industrial heritage site Kraftwerk Zschornewitz, which serves as a venue for science communication and interdisciplinary work on the carbon circular economy.

Product overview

Forum Rathenau e.V. is a non-profit association that functions as a network platform rather than a single product. Its offerings are organized under the 'Transferkraftwerk Kohlenstoff' platform with three interconnected pillars: DenkWerkstatt, ExperimentierWerkstatt, and TransferWerkstatt. The core programs include CarbonCycleCultureClub (C4) — a hybrid discussion format on carbon and circular economy; Basisstudie Kohlenstoffwirtschaft — a comprehensive baseline study on climate-neutral transformation; Create New Chemistry — a business model acceleration program; Transformations- und Innovationsprogramm — organizational change consulting; Kooperationsnetzwerk Chemie+ — an industry cooperation network; and ABI LAB — a hands-on science workshop for youth. The physical anchoring is provided by Kraftwerk Zschornewitz (an industrial heritage site for science communication), Reallabor ZEKIWA Zeitz, and Zukunftsschmiede Industriekultur (youth engagement). A KI-powered chatbot called CarbonChat extends the knowledge offerings digitally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CarbonCycleCultureClub (C4): A hybrid discussion and thinking format where the association examines carbon and circular economy topics with experts, covering scientific, technological, artistic, cultural, and social perspectives.
• ABI LAB
• Create New Chemistry
• Transformations- und Innovationsprogramm
• Kooperationsnetzwerk Chemie+
• Transferkraftwerk Kohlenstoff
• DenkWerkstatt
• ExperimentierWerkstatt
• TransferWerkstatt
• PraxisWerkstatt
• Reallabor ZEKIWA Zeitz RZZ
• Zukunftsschmiede Industriekultur
• Kraftwerk Zschornewitz
• CarbonChat

Quantifiable outcome

• Extensive media library with event recordings covering topics from green chemistry to circular economy

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stiftung Bauhaus DessaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in the 'Sachsen-Anhalt Projekt' network under the EU's New European Bauhaus initiative. The partnership focuses on sustainable construction, circular economy, and cultural transformation in Central Germany, combining Bauhaus heritage with innovation in sustainability.
• Hochschule AnhaltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the Sachsen-Anhalt Projekt and various transformation initiatives. President Prof. Jörg Bagdahn participates in C4 events discussing architecture, design, and materials research for sustainable construction.
• Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule HallecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Sachsen-Anhalt Projekt focused on industrial design, sustainability, and artistic approaches to transformation challenges.
• Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with the CTC being established in Delitzsch and Merseburg. The CTC aims to develop approaches for making the chemical industry more sustainable, reducing dependence on fossil raw materials and CO2 emissions.
• Kooperationsnetzwerk Chemie+ (Cooperation Network Chemistry+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForum Rathenau hosts and supports this network of leading industry actors from the Central German Chemical Triangle working together to actively shape the structural transformation of the raw material supply chain - technologically, economically, and regulatively.
• Miltitz Aromatics GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal company in Bitterfeld-Wolfen specializing in synthetic fragrance and flavor manufacturing. Dr. Stefan Müller, Managing Director, participates in C4 events discussing entrepreneurial perspectives on climate transformation.
• Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep)minorOthersResearch institute that published study 'Energiewende neu denken: Mehr Klimakapitalismus wagen!' contributing expert perspectives to C4 discussions on energy transition and carbon management.
• LEAG (Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company operating in the Lusatia and Central German regions. LEAG shows openness to ideas for developing the Zschornewitz power plant site and participates in transformation discussions.
• Stadt ZeitzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Sachsen-Anhalt Projekt with Zeitz serving as a model city for transformation, sustainable construction, and community participation in the post-coal era.
• Entwicklungs- und Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft (EWG) Anhalt-BitterfeldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development corporation. Elena Herzel, Managing Director, participates in discussions about CO2-neutral industrial areas and regional business development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft: Non-profit association supporting German science, education, and innovation through membership and programming. Comparable as a membership-driven non-profit coordinating industry-academic-policy activities.
• Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie: Leading German research institute producing studies on climate, environment, and energy transition. Comparable as a non-profit research and advisory body producing baseline studies and convening stakeholders, but with broader thematic scope.
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Germany's largest applied research organization with institutes operating across the Central German region. Comparable as a partner ecosystem for Forum Rathenau's research and TransferWerkstatt activities, but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Agora Energiewende: Berlin-based think tank focused on energy transition and climate policy. Comparable as a non-profit producing studies, events, and policy advice on decarbonization, but operating at a national scale rather than a regional one.
• Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena): Federal energy agency supporting the Energiewende through studies, pilot projects, and network management. Comparable as a transformation-focused non-profit providing policy support, project management, and stakeholder convening services.

Direct peers

• Wissenschaft im Dialog: German non-profit dedicated to science communication and public dialogue on research topics. Comparable as a science-communication organization running events, formats, and youth engagement programs similar to C4 and ABI LAB.
• Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau: Foundation operating the Bauhaus Dessau heritage site and partner of Forum Rathenau in the Sachsen-Anhalt Projekt under the New European Bauhaus initiative. Comparable as a heritage-and-design anchor institution driving cultural and sustainable transformation in Saxony-Anhalt.
• Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC): State-backed initiative being established in Delitzsch and Merseburg to decarbonize the Central German chemical industry. Most directly comparable peer given overlapping geography, mission, and stakeholder base, though operating at materially larger scale.

Regional players

• Leibniz-Institut für Raumbezogene Sozialforschung (IRS): Leibniz Institute based in Erkner near Berlin focused on structural transformation of European regions. Comparable as a research and policy body studying coal-phase-out and post-fossil regional transitions, with thematic alignment to Forum Rathenau's work.
• EWG Anhalt-Bitterfeld (Entwicklungs- und Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft): Regional economic development corporation that is itself a partner of Forum Rathenau. Comparable as a regional development body working on CO2-neutral industrial areas and structural transformation in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@forumrathenau
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forum-rathenau
• Instagraminstagram.com/forumrathenau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Forum Rathenau e.V.