Magdeburg's Solar Materials GmbH Wins AURA-Award 2025 for Photovoltaic Module Recycling Innovation
Magdeburg-based Solar Materials GmbH received the AURA-Award 2025 for its automated photovoltaic recycling process and plans major capacity expansion.
- • Solar Materials GmbH won the AURA-Award 2025 for innovative photovoltaic module recycling.
- • The company recycles up to 7,000 tons of old solar modules annually in Magdeburg.
- • Plans are underway to triple recycling capacity and open an international site in Italy by 2026.
- • The award highlights commitment to sustainable, circular economy principles in solar industry.
Key details
Solar Materials GmbH, a cleantech company based in Magdeburg, has been honored with the prestigious AURA-Award 2025 by the Environment Ministry of Saxony-Anhalt for its pioneering automated recycling process for photovoltaic modules. Founded in 2021, this startup currently recycles up to 7,000 tons of end-of-life solar modules annually, recovering valuable raw materials such as silver, silicon, glass, and aluminum.
Environment Minister Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann commended Solar Materials for exemplifying sustainable and economically successful entrepreneurship and demonstrating the viability of a circular economy in the solar industry. The company, which employs around 60 people, plans to triple its recycling capacity by 2026 and expand internationally with a new site in Italy.
Dr. Jan-Philipp Mai, co-founder and CEO, expressed pride in the award, saying it underscores their commitment to sustainably recycling photovoltaic modules worldwide. The AURA business award, refocused on sustainability since 2024, recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises in Saxony-Anhalt that innovate in energy efficiency and resource conservation.