Molla Tadesse Abate is working to reduce water use in dyeing and finishing processes in the textile sector. His work is part of a broader collaboration between researchers in Bavaria and Ethiopia.
Hof University of Applied Sciences is committed to sustainability and “greentech” and is driving innovation through research into sustainable water management.
Hof, March 18, 2026 – Extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, flooding, and drought are occurring more frequently. In order to respond appropriately, public authorities and infrastructure operators depend on reliable data. This primarily concerns hydrometeorological measurements—data on precipitation as well as other climate- and water balance-related parameters. Two interconnected projects at the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems at Hof University of Applied Sciences (inwa) address precisely this issue.
Hof / Germany, February 2026 – A new research project focusing on sustainable thermal insulation and improved room acoustics is now underway at Hof University of Applied Sciences. Under the title “WAVE” (Thermal Insulation and Acoustic Enhancement through the Use of Residual Materials as Fillers in Near-Net-Shape 3D Woven Structures for Textile Panels), the university and regional partners from Upper Franconia have joined forces to develop functional textile insulation solutions based on locally sourced wool. The project, which commenced at the beginning of the year, is scheduled to run for two years and is funded under the German Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM).
Students at Hof University of Applied Sciences Develop an Innovative Guide for Urban Food Production and Sustainable Water Management Hof – How can food production, water management, and resource conservation be intelligently combined in urban environments? This question was explored by an interdisciplinary team of students from Hof University of Applied Sciences as part of the project “EcoFloatFarm.” Within just 16 weeks, 13 students developed a practical guide demonstrating how planted floating islands can improve water quality while simultaneously producing food directly on the water.
Hof / Mexico City – Water scarcity, flooding, and overstretched infrastructure pose enormous challenges for megacities around the world. This is particularly evident in the 23-million-inhabitant metropolis of Mexico City. How innovative concepts for sustainable water management can help address these challenges was examined by Christopher Funk, a master’s student in the “Sustainable Water Management and Engineering” program at Hof University of Applied Sciences, during a research semester in the winter semester of 2024/25. On behalf of the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems (inwa), he analyzed the potential of the so-called sponge city concept at two schools in the Mexican metropolis.
How can historic buildings, artworks, and archaeological sites be better protected against gradual deterioration, environmental stress, or the impacts of climate change? This question lies at the heart of the large-scale European research project ARTEMIS, in which Hof University of Applied Sciences plays an active role. At the project’s annual meeting in mid-December 2025 in Brussels, key advances were presented and dialogue with European institutions and professional stakeholders was further intensified.
The logistics industry is one of Germany’s key economic sectors—yet women remain significantly underrepresented in its leadership ranks. To explore the reasons behind this imbalance, Prof. Dr. Fridtjof Langenhan and Prof. Dr. Friedwart Lender, together with students from the Master’s degree program in Supply Chain Management and Logistics at Hof University of Applied Sciences, conducted an in-depth study. The newly published study, entitled “Strategies for Attracting and Promoting Female Leaders in the Logistics Sector: Results of a Study at Hof University of Applied Sciences,” identifies persistent barriers faced by women in leadership roles.
Hof – The joint research project InMIDoor conducted by Hof University of Applied Sciences, KKT-Norsystec and Roos GmbH has developed an innovative approach to vehicle doors. Instead of installing numerous individual components such as switches, levers and complex electronics, the new interior door panel integrates all control elements into a single, flexible surface. The result is a lightweight, sustainable and intuitive solution.
Hof / Jena, October 2025 – After three and a half years of intensive research, the joint project InSchuKa 4.0 has come to an end. Its goal: to use artificial intelligence to help sewer networks better respond to heavy rainfall and dry periods—enabling smarter adaptation to climate change.
