IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT

Materials Science Research and Educationiam.kit.edu

Company typePrivate
Founded1966
HeadquartersKarlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT firmographics

Firmographics

Name: IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT
Legal name: Institut für Angewandte Materialien – Werkstoffkunde (IAM-WK), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Website: https://iam.kit.edu
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1966
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT industry classification

Industry

Product category: Materials Science Research and Education
NAICS: Engineering Services (541330), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)
SIC: Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
akta.pro primary industry: Materials R&D & Characterization (Powder/Resin Development, Testing) (IMAAAJAG)
akta.pro secondary industries: Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA), Consulting, Advisory & Technology Transfer (AM Adoption) (IMAAAJAK)

Keywords

Materials science research
High-temperature alloys
Refractory metal alloys
Additive manufacturing materials
Hydrogen materials testing

Where IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg
HQ country: Germany
HQ region: Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

Public research funding: IAM-WK operates as a publicly funded university research institute within KIT (Karlsruher Institut für Technologie), a member of the Helmholtz Association. Research is funded primarily through competitive grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), German federal ministries (BMBF, BMWK, BMWE), European Union programs, and the state of Baden-Württemberg. RTG 2561 received over 4 million EUR for its second funding period (2024-2029). The ETOS future cluster received 12.1 million EUR for its second funding phase starting April 2026. The CZS Center KRAFt received 12 million EUR from Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung.
Industry research collaborations: Contract research and collaborative research projects with industrial partners in automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Examples include hydrogen combustion engine research with MAHLE, CLAAS, and other equipment manufacturers; battery materials research; and sustainable materials development.
Education and training: Teaching activities for BSc and MSc programs in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at KIT, including laboratory practicals, lectures, and supervised student research projects. Public outreach programs such as VDI-Werkstoffferienprogramm and Girls' Day activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT product offering

Product offering

Core offering

IAM-WK conducts fundamental and applied research in materials science and engineering, focusing on high-temperature structural materials, refractory alloys, mechanical metamaterials, additive manufacturing, hydrogen-compatible materials, and microstructure characterization. As a sub-institute of the Institute for Applied Materials (IAM) at KIT, it offers interdisciplinary research services, doctoral training, and undergraduate/master's degree programs in Materials Science and Engineering, collaborating with industry partners and international academic institutions.

Product overview

The Institute for Applied Materials (IAM) at KIT is a leading interdisciplinary research institution focused on materials science and engineering. The IAM comprises eight research departments: Angewandte Werkstoffphysik (IAM-AWP), Energiespeichersysteme (IAM-ESS), Elektrochemische Technologien (IAM-ET), Keramische Werkstoffe und Technologien (IAM-KWT), Werkstoff- und Grenzflächenmechanik (IAM-MMI), Mikrostrukturmodellierung und Simulation (IAM-MMS), Werkstoffkunde (IAM-WK), and Zuverlässigkeit und Mikrostruktur (IAM-ZM). With over 500 employees, the IAM conducts research spanning materials development, process technology, and systems integration across thematic fields including energy, nano- and microtechnology, and mobility systems. The IAM offers academic programs in Materials Science and Engineering (Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik) at bachelor's and master's levels, and provides specialized laboratory facilities and research infrastructure for industrial collaboration and technology transfer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Industrial Contract Research and Collaboration Services Collaborative and contract research services in materials science for industrial partners in aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Covers high-temperature alloys, hydrogen-compatible materials, additive manufacturing process chains, and sustainable/circular-economy materials. Partners include MAHLE, CLAAS, and GfE Metalle und Materialien GmbH.
BSc/MSc Academic Programs in Materials Science and Engineering (MatWerk) Interdisciplinary BSc and MSc degree programs in Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik (Materials Science and Engineering) at KIT, combining fundamentals with applications and taught across the IAM sub-institutes for students in mechanical engineering and natural sciences.
RTG 2561 MatCom-ComMat Doctoral Training Program DFG-funded Research Training Group (Graduiertenkolleg) 2561 'MatCom-ComMat' providing structured doctoral training in development, characterization, and modelling of novel multi-phase composite systems for applications beyond 1300°C. Involves KIT, TU Darmstadt, and DECHEMA Research Institute Frankfurt.

Quantifiable outcome

Cr-Mo-Si alloy published in Nature (2025) — ductile at room temperature, melts at ~2000°C, oxidation-resistant above 1100°C, enabling gas turbine operation beyond current Ni-based superalloy temperature limits
+4 more outcomes

Companies that use IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT

Customer profile

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld (Hochschule Trier)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2025Partner in the CZS Center KRAFt (Center for Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency via Additive Manufacturing Technologies), receiving 12 million EUR from Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. The center officially opened May 15, 2025.
Hochschule AalencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2025Partner in the CZS Center KRAFt, collaborating on circular economy and resource efficiency through additive manufacturing technologies.
DECHEMA Forschungsinstitut (Frankfurt/Bad Homburg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025DECHEMA is a key partner in the DFG-funded RTG 2561 'MatCom-ComMat' and collaborative partner in Nature publications (Cr-Mo-Si alloy with Dr. Mathias C. Galetz; Mo-Si-Ti research with Dr. Mathias C. Galetz). Also collaborated on oxidation and hot corrosion research.
Technische Universität DarmstadtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025TU Darmstadt is a core partner in the RTG 2561 MatCom-ComMat graduate school, collaborating on materials synthesis, characterization, and modeling research. Partnership spans both funding periods.
Kyoto University (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Haruyuki Inui and his laboratory are key collaborators on intermetallics, high-entropy alloys, and deformation mechanisms research. Joint Nature publication (2025) on Cr-Mo-Si alloy. Prof. Inui received Humboldt Research Award and conducted research stay at KIT.
Monash University (Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Martin Heilmaier conducted a Monash Distinguished Scholar seminar in November 2025 at Monash University (Clayton, Victoria). Collaboration with Prof. Aijun Huang's group. Joint publications on refractory high-entropy alloys and Mo-Si-Ti materials.
Ruhr-Universität BochumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Alexander Kauffmann, former IAM-WK department head (Physical Metallurgy), was appointed W3 Professor at Ruhr-Universität Bochum in 2025, suggesting continued collaboration and alumni network connection.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with the Extreme Environments Materials Group (EEMG) on TEM investigations of refractory high-entropy alloys. Joint studies on B2-strengthened RHEAs and Mo-Si-Ti alloy mechanical properties.
MAHLEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAHLE leads the PoWer project (BMWE-funded, ~5 million EUR) on hydrogen combustion engines for off-road applications. IAM-WK researchers study hydrogen effects on engine component materials.
CLAAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLAAS participates in the PoWer project investigating hydrogen combustion engines for agricultural machinery, collaborating with IAM-WK on materials for off-road applications.
GfE Metalle und Materialien GmbH (Nuremberg)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with GfE on spherical alloy powder production for additive manufacturing, including industrial upscaling of ultrasonic atomization for refractory metal alloys.
Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Energiekonversion (Mülheim)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Siegfried Waldvogel leads the ETOS future cluster (Electrification of Technical Organic Syntheses), with Prof. Ulrike Krewer (IAM-ET) as KIT partner. ETOS received 12.1 million EUR for second funding phase starting April 2026.
Fraunhofer IWM (Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through the MikroTribologie Centrum (µTC) co-lead structure combining Fraunhofer IWM and KIT parts. Prof. Peter Gumbsch led the µTC for 15 years, and Prof. Christian Greiner was appointed to the dual leadership in 2024.
Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung DüsseldorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Dierk Raabe's group on high-entropy alloys and deformation mechanisms, referenced in Prof. Haruyuki Inui's Humboldt Research Award collaboration context.
Universität SiegenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. H.-J. Christ's group on oxidation behavior of refractory alloys and composition-property correlations in Fe-Al alloys.
Universität BayreuthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration within RTG 2561 and DGM expert committee meetings on intermetallic phases, chaired by Prof. Florian Pyczak and Prof. Manja Krüger.
EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on dislocation behavior and solid solution strengthening models in Mo-Ti alloys, with colleagues from EPFL contributing to the research on dislocation mechanisms.
Dartmouth College (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Ian Baker's group on cryogenic deformation of high-entropy alloys, investigating twinning and microband-induced plasticity.
ACCESS e.V. (Aachen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Fe-Al-Nb alloys for high-temperature applications in the Pro-FeAl project funded by BMWK.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

Plansee Group: Plansee is the world's leading industrial manufacturer of refractory metals (Mo, W, Cr) and high-temperature alloys — directly downstream of IAM-WK's refractory alloy and high-temperature materials programs, and a natural industrial translation partner / licensee for IAM-WK's Cr-Mo-Si and Mo-Si-Ti research.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Materials Science & Technology: ORNL's materials programs cover refractory alloys, additive manufacturing, hydrogen materials, and neutron-based characterization at scale. Comparable in research breadth and mission-driven public funding model; a relevant peer for IAM-WK's refractory alloy, AM, and hydrogen materials work at international scope.
H.C. Starck Tungsten (Mersen): H.C. Starck (part of Mersen) is a major industrial producer of refractory metals and advanced ceramic materials, with overlapping R&D interests in powder metallurgy, AM powders, and high-temperature applications — comparable in materials domain though operating as a commercial manufacturer rather than academic institute.
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan: NIMS is Japan's national materials science laboratory — the closest international counterpart to KIT's IAM in scope, scale, and mandate (refractory alloys, high-entropy alloys, characterization infrastructure, international researcher exchange). Comparable operating scale and similar public-research-institute funding model.

Direct peers

TU Darmstadt — Institute of Materials Science: TU Darmstadt is IAM-WK's core German university partner within the RTG 2561 MatCom-ComMat graduate school and shares a closely aligned materials science mandate covering physical metallurgy, mechanical characterization, and modeling — making it both a peer and a strategic collaborator.
DECHEMA Forschungsinstitut: DECHEMA is a Frankfurt-based research institute covering corrosion, high-temperature oxidation, and electrochemical materials — closely overlapping IAM-WK's work on Cr-Mo-Si oxidation resistance and hydrogen materials. Core partner in RTG 2561 MatCom-ComMat and co-author on Nature 2025 Cr-Mo-Si paper (Dr. Mathias C. Galetz).
Monash University — Department of Materials Science and Engineering: Monash Materials is a leading Asia-Pacific university materials science department with strong programs in high-entropy alloys, high-temperature materials, and mechanical metallurgy — directly comparable research mandate and active collaborator of IAM-WK (Prof. Aijun Huang's group; Prof. Heilmaier Distinguished Scholar visit2025).
ETH Zürich — Department of Materials: ETH Materials is a leading European university materials science department with strong programs in metallurgy, mechanical testing, and computational materials science — directly comparable to IAM-WK's research agenda and university-based operating model, and a leading peer for talent and doctoral training competition in Europe.
Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM): Fraunhofer IWM is a direct German applied research peer in materials mechanics, microstructure, and tribology, and a structural partner of IAM-WK via the joint MikroTribologie Centrum (µTC). Both combine fundamental materials research with industry contract work, comparable funding models, and overlapping research agendas on fatigue, hydrogen materials, and additive manufacturing.
Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung (MPIE): MPIE is the leading German materials science research institute focused on iron, steel, and advanced alloys including high-entropy alloys and refractory materials. It is a direct scientific peer and existing collaborator of IAM-WK (joint high-entropy alloy studies with Prof. Dierk Raabe's group), making it the closest comparable research organization in scale, mandate, and research focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT

What does IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT do?

Is IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT a public or private company?

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT founded?

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT was founded in 1966. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT based?

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT is headquartered in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in the Europe region.

How does IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Public research funding is the primary driver. The others are industry research collaborations and education and training.

Who are IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are Plansee Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Materials Science & Technology, H.C. Starck Tungsten (Mersen) and National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan. Direct peers are TU Darmstadt — Institute of Materials Science, DECHEMA Forschungsinstitut, Monash University — Department of Materials Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich — Department of Materials, Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM) and Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung (MPIE).

Does IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT have an API?

No public API is recorded for IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT.

What industry is IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT in?

IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT's product category is Materials Science Research and Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAAJAG, Materials R&D & Characterization (Powder/Resin Development, Testing), with a secondary code of IMAAAJAA, Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs. Its NAICS code is 541330 and its SIC code is 8731.