OBERKOCHEN, Germany, Oct 21, 2025 – The developer teams from the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) and TRUMPF received the fifth Reinhard von Koenig Prize for Technology and Progress on Oct. 17, 2025. The award recognized their work in developing High-NA EUV lithography and expanding its industrial use. Dr. Peter Kürz of ZEISS and Dr. Michael Kösters of TRUMPF accepted the 10,000-euro prize at Schloss Fachsenfeld near Aalen, Germany.
The commission awarded the teams from ZEISS SMT and TRUMPF for their contribution to the production of microchips. Frederick Brütting, chairman of the Schloss Fachsenfeld Foundation and mayor, Aalen, said: “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 said: “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.”
Promotion of STEM Education for Young People
ZEISS donated its 5,000-euro share to explorhino in Aalen. The funds will support expanding school programs at the explorhino Science Center at Aalen University. The center promotes interest in science and technology among students from kindergarten through high school. With more than 130 experiment stations, workshops, and courses, it offers hands-on learning that connects science to everyday experience.
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.”
Source: ZEISS
About ZEISS
Founded in 1846 in Jena and headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany, ZEISS is a global leader in optics and optoelectronics. The company develops and manufactures products for semiconductor manufacturing, industrial metrology, microscopy, medical technology, and consumer optics. Its solutions serve industries such as life sciences, materials research, ophthalmology, and chip production, including lithography optics, eyeglass lenses, and camera lenses. As of Sept. 30, 2024, ZEISS reported annual revenue of about 11 billion euros across its four segments: Industrial Quality and Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets, and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. The company operates in about 50 countries with more than 46,500 employees, over 60 sales and service sites, 40 R&D centers, and 35 production facilities. Owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, ZEISS invests about 15% of its annual revenue in R&D to drive innovation in digitalization, smart manufacturing, and healthcare.