ZEISS has received the Reinhard von Koenig Prize for Technology and Progress and donates the prize money to the explorhino Science Center in Aalen

• ZEISS SMT, together with TRUMPF, has received the Reinhard von Koenig Prize for Technology and Progress for the development of High-NA EUV lithography and its industrial application.
• Its share of the prize money, amounting to 5,000 euros, is donated by ZEISS SMT to the explorhino Science Center in Aalen to support the promotion of young people in STEM fields.
• The donation is in line with ZEISS's status as a foundation company, taking on social responsibility and supporting educational advancement.

The developer teams of the ZEISS segment Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) and TRUMPF were awarded the fifth Reinhard von Koenig Prize for Technology and Progress on October 17, 2025. They received the prize for their pioneering work in the development of High-NA EUV lithography and the industrial application of EUV lithography. Dr. Peter Kürz (ZEISS) and Dr. Michael Kösters (TRUMPF) accepted the prize, which is worth a total of 10,000 euros, on behalf of their teams on October 17, 2025, at Schloss Fachsenfeld near Aalen, Germany.

The commission awarded the teams from ZEISS SMT and TRUMPF for their significant contribution to the production of more powerful microchips. Frederick Brütting, Chairman of the Schloss Fachsenfeld Foundation and Mayor of the city of Aalen, emphasizes: "This development makes a crucial contribution to global technological competitiveness as well as to the security of digital infrastructure." University President Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel, spokesperson for the jury of the Reinhard von Koenig Prize, adds: "With the awarded process, we have a unique innovation that moves humanity and offers great development opportunities for artificial intelligence, for example. Technologically, the process is in the absolute top class."

Dr. Peter Kürz, Head of Field of Business High-NA-EUV Technology at ZEISS SMT, emphasizes the untiring will to create new things – a motivation that not only drives ZEISS today but also shaped the life's work of Reinhard Freiherr von Koenig-Fachsenfeld, the namesake of the prize. "The enthusiasm for sciences and the tireless urge to continually refine innovations: that was precisely the motivation of the engineer Reinhard Freiherr von Koenig-Fachsenfeld. We at ZEISS SMT follow this spirit of research every day anew."

As a foundation company with a long tradition of social engagement, educational support, and social responsibility, ZEISS donates the pro rata prize money of 5,000 euros to explorhino in Aalen, where the donation will be used to expand school course offerings. The explorhino Science Center on the campus of Aalen University aims to inspire children and young people from kindergarten to high school and beyond with science and technology – regardless of their background, gender, religion, or financial means. In the interactive exhibition with over 130 experiment stations and numerous workshops and course offerings, science becomes a tangible experience, as Dr. Jana Peeters, Head of the explorhino Science Center, explains: "Based on curiosity and fascination, we create learning and experience spaces where science becomes literally tangible. Through close collaboration with Aalen University, we also build a bridge between school and university, fostering enthusiasm for STEM subjects all the way to career choice. Our goal is not only to spark interest of young people but also to preserve and sharpen their natural researcher mindset. Donation funds are crucial for us to continue developing exciting and inspiring offerings. Therefore, we are very grateful to ZEISS SMT."

Dr. Peter Kürz adds, "We consider it our task to pass on our fascination for technology and science. Therefore, we are very pleased to have found in explorhino an institution that achieves exactly that: inspiring young people for STEM."

The Reinhard von Koenig Prize for Technology and Progress is awarded every two years to companies and individuals who, through their technical courage and innovative strength, make a significant contribution to technological advancement and thereby play a key role in addressing societal challenges. The prize is awarded in memory of the foundation's founder and engineer, Reinhard Freiherr von Koenig-Fachsenfeld.