Köhler: "Environmental protection brings quality of life, jobs and economic growth"

Mainz, Germany

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt presented German Environmental Award for the 12th time - Federal President Köhler handed over awards today

The with 500,000 Euro supremely endowed European environmental award was presented for the 12th time. Federal President Horst Köhler honoured the North Rhine-Westphalian entrepreneur Alfred Heinrich Jung (49) and the Hamburg microbiologist Professor Garabed Antranikian (53) with the German Environmental Award of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU, Osnabrueck) in Mainz today. "If we want to shape our country and our world towards a promising future, we need people like you. People, that take our future into their own hand with imagination and enthusiasm, with commitment and energy," underlined Germany's head of state. With the award, the DBU acknowledges the achievements of two environmental pioneers. Alfred H. Jung, founder and head of the medium-sized company Jungtec, received the award for innovative gaskets, through which an immense environmental relief is possible and health dangers are reduced. Professor Antranikian, head of the Institute for Technical Microbiology of the Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg, was awarded for his work in field of the white biotechnology with which chemical processes can be altered in a way that the environment is considerably relieved. Professor Hannelore (Loki) Schmidt (85, Hamburg) received an honorary prize for her life's work.

Further information: http://www.dbu.de/press/artikel.php?id=964

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