German Cleanroom Institute: Spreading and conveying knowledge

"The cleanroom industry needs an organization where the competencies of renowned actors from research, production, and quality assurance are combined," says Prof. Gernod Dittel (DITTEL Cleanroom, Kochel/Ried) in response to the question of why he is committed as chairman of the German Cleanroom Institute (DRRI) e. V. "In the field of cleanrooms, engineering sciences and natural sciences come together, all aiming for the same goal, namely to create as pure production and working conditions as possible for their products and services."

Together with Joachim Ludwig (COLANDIS GmbH, Kahla) and Andreas Maul (Viessmann Technologies GmbH, Hof/Saale), he has been leading the association, which has grown to about 50 members from companies and institutions, for three years. "When we started, we had just six members." Through persistence and a lot of commitment, the three have been able to convince more and more colleagues that the growing industry needs an advocacy group — "and one that primarily aims at scientific results rather than economic interests," Dittel explains, who teaches in the field of cleanroom technology at Carinthia University Villach in Austria and at the Chair of New Technologies at Xi'an Jiaotong University of Technology in China.

Academic Theses

To meet this demand, the DRRI is increasingly collaborating with universities. Currently, cooperation has been established with Albstadt-Sigmaringen University in Baden-Württemberg and Graz University of Technology (Austria) for the creation of bachelor’s and master’s theses. Also involved is the Adriatic Institute of Technology (AIT), which Dittel co-founded with Italian scientist Filippo Matteo in Ancona. The DRRI offers students technical support through its member companies for developing their theses. "They have access to the entire know-how of the industry," Dittel boasts.

In return, the cleanroom industry is expected to benefit from the scientific work of young researchers: "We invite them in November 2016 to the Cleanzone in Frankfurt to present their research projects." The industry trade fair already marks a milestone in the activities of the DRRI: for the first time, the institute will offer its own international lecture series there this year, under the main theme "Industry 4.0." "Until now, we limited ourselves to distributing flyers at our member companies' booths," explains Dittel.

Inquiries are forwarded to specialists

Gernod Dittel sees the most important task of the German Cleanroom Institute as "disseminating and passing on knowledge." Therefore, the DRRI offers support to anyone dealing with questions from the industry. Internally, inquiries are forwarded to members who have expertise in the respective areas. Dittel emphasizes that it is not primarily about initiating business contacts, but about sharing professionally and scientifically sound information. After all, cleanroom technology is not a confined field like many other technologies, but a cooperation of various disciplines. "We are independent and objective — that sets us apart from many other associations."

Own quality seal planned

To reinforce this — and the high quality standards that DRRI members set for their work — the institute plans to award its own cleanroom technology quality seal in the future. This will ensure that products and services meet the highest standards. When this plan will become reality, Dittel cannot currently say. "We are still in the early stages and are discussing many details."

Dittel wants to continue the growth of the DRRI from recent years. "I think that reaching a membership of 80 to 100 would be a good basis to implement our goals." The chairman is particularly pleased that the institute now also has members from other countries.

Members foster network thinking

For many members, besides the desire to strengthen the scientific basis of cleanroom technology, the idea of networking is paramount. This is confirmed, for example, by Egon Buchta, managing director and partner of "Ingenieurbüro & Reinraumservice Egon Buchta GmbH" from Wannweil near Reutlingen. "It is always important for me to exchange ideas with colleagues on technical questions. And I find this forum in the German Cleanroom Institute." Since Buchta is also chairman of the working group on cytostatic cabinets in the standardization committee for laboratory equipment and laboratories in DIN, "it is especially important for me to know what colleagues think." He also cares about training the next generation of cleanroom professionals. "When the DRRI awards or supports theses, it benefits the entire industry."

Events 2016:

Benediktbeurer Cleanroom Days
May 11–12, 2016
Benediktbeuren Monastery
www.reinraumtage.de

Lecture series at the Cleanzone trade fair
November 8–9, 2016
Frankfurt Trade Fair
www.cleanzone.messefrankfurt.com