Top political representatives visit Schunk in Willich

Willich, January 29, 2026 

NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur and Matthias Hauer, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, learn about key technologies 

Two high-ranking political visits within 48 hours: it was not without reason that the Schunk site in Willich was recently the focus of political attention. After all, the global player makes an important contribution to the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe here. The discussions focused on the diverse applications of the high-tech material silicon carbide (SiC) in the semiconductor industry, aerospace, and defense. 

NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur, together with Guido Görtz, member of the state parliament for Schwalmtal, Viersen, and Willich, gained an impression of the company's expertise. Just one day earlier, Schunk welcomed Matthias Hauer, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Research, Technology, and Space, and Dr. Georg Kippels, member of the Bundestag. 

From North Rhine-Westphalia into orbit: satellite mirrors for space travel 

During a tour of the factory, both delegations were able to see for themselves the diverse applications of technical ceramics. Silicon carbide is the key to high-resolution optical satellites, which are indispensable for Earth observation, space exploration, reconnaissance, and communication. “With our 3D printing and a value chain that is entirely based in Germany, Schunk is a key player in the aerospace sector. We are therefore delighted about the great interest in our technologies,” emphasizes Dr. Lars Schnetter, Managing Director of Schunk Ingenieurkeramik. Schunk is also the market leader for ceramic protective plates used in body armor for police and security forces.
 

Securing raw materials through circular economy 

With the acquisition of raw materials manufacturer ESK-SIC and the construction of a new recycling plant in Frechen, the Schunk Group is investing more than €100 million in sustainable value creation. The plant for the globally unique recycling of silicon carbide (“RECOSiC®”) will be built over the next two years – made possible by €30 million in funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU. Schunk is thus making a decisive contribution to the establishment of independent supply chains for strategically important raw materials. 

Politics and industry: shared responsibility 

“With our technology from North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, we cover the entire value chain from powder to finished mirror. This gives us the opportunity to be a leader in Germany in the development of solutions for high-resolution optical reconnaissance systems from space,” explains Dr. Ulrich von Hülsen, member of the Schunk Group's management board. 

The visits highlight the shared responsibility of politics and industry to further strengthen the foundation for key technologies in North Rhine-Westphalia and Germany and to actively shape the transformation towards a sustainable economy. Schunk will continue to invest in research and development in order to drive innovation for the future.