EGNATON – Review 2025

A chronological overview of milestones, initiatives and community moments.

Updated: 2025
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December 2025 Category: CERT

EGNATON CERT GOLD awarded to MMM

On December 16, 2025, EGNATON officially handed over the EGNATON CERT GOLD certificates to MMM Münchener Medizin Mechanik GmbH at their production site in Stadlern, Germany. The certificates were received by Mr. Sven Krage on behalf of MMM. Several product families in the field of cleaning and sterilization technology were certified based on a holistic assessment of environmental performance, process quality and technical product quality, including the autoclave series VAKULAB® and VENTILAB® (PL, HL, CL) as well as the washer-disinfector series UNICLEAN® PL II 15 / 30.
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December 2025 Category: Academy

Extension of TTG topics to MEP

In 2025, EGNATON decided to extend the scope of its Technical Training and Guidance (TTG) for laboratory safety, planning and sustainability to include MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing). This expansion strengthens the technical depth of EGNATON’s training activities and reflects the central role of MEP systems in sustainable, safe and efficient laboratory environments.
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November 2025 Category: Event

Contribution to SLCan Sustainable Laboratory Conference

In 2025, EGNATON contributed to the SLCan Sustainable Laboratory Conference in Canada. EGNATON President Miguel Antunes Pinto introduced the association and presented the CUBE initiative as a European approach to smarter, more efficient and sustainable laboratory planning. The conference provided an important platform for international exchange, strengthening collaboration and shared efforts to advance sustainability, safety and innovation in laboratory environments.
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November 2025 Category: Event

openBIM and FOSS sessions at BIM World Munich

At BIM World Munich 2025, EGNATON contributed with multiple sessions and activities focused on openBIM and the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Presentations addressed practical openBIM workflows using tools such as BonsaiBIM and demonstrated how open standards and FOSS can change the perception and application of BIM in practice. In parallel, the Ifc4Lab Project Group engaged with the community at the BIM Deutschland booth, sharing updates on current developments and use cases.
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November 2025 Category: Academy

New openBIM training launched within EGNATON Academy

In 2025, EGNATON expanded its Academy services by launching a new training offer focused on openBIM and IFC for laboratory design and related domains. The hands-on workshop introduces practical workflows based on Free and Open Source Software, using BonsaiBIM as an IFC-native authoring tool. The training addresses sustainable, data-driven planning approaches and is applicable across different BIM environments and software platforms.
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November 2025 Category: Standardization

Start of CEN work item “BIM Use Cases”

In November 2025, the CEN TC 442 Working Group 3 officially initiated the work item “Framework for BIM Use Cases”. The work item is led by Bernd Gmeiner together with Tommi Henttinen and aims to establish a harmonized European framework for defining, structuring and applying BIM use cases across the entire asset lifecycle. The initiative builds on ISO methodologies, keeps IFC as the core data model and focuses on practical, implementable guidance for interoperable and sustainable digital collaboration.
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October 2025 Category: Event

Participation in IFC Think Tank Son Burguet

In October 2025, EGNATON participated in the IFC Think Tank at Son Burguet as part of Knowledge Hub 10 – BIM. The workshop, organized by the partner group IfcLab, focused on the further development and practical application of IFC as a modelling language for digital twins and asset life cycles. Topics included current and future IFC versions, interoperability, openBIM workflows and the use of open-source tools such as BonsaiBIM.
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October 2025 Category: Community

Digital workspaces for Knowledge Hubs and Project Groups launched

In 2025, EGNATON set up dedicated digital workspaces in Microsoft Teams to support committees, Knowledge Hubs and Project Groups. These workspaces provide a structured environment for collaboration, document sharing and coordination, enabling efficient and transparent cooperation across different tasks and project timelines.
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September 2025 Category: Event

Third place at BIM Hackathon Berlin

In 2025, the EGNATON team from Knowledge Hub 10 – BIM and the Ifc4Lab Project Group contributed and achieved third place at the BIM Hackathon organized by BIM Deutschland in Berlin. The contribution addressed the connection of BIM software to the BIM Portal Germany and demonstrated a solution based on Python, IFC and BonsaiBIM, highlighting the practical value of open and interoperable BIM workflows.
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September 2025 Category: Event

Presentation on BIM Use Cases at buildingSMART Summit Berlin

At the buildingSMART International Summit in Berlin in 2025, EGNATON presented BIM use cases derived from the TecBox concept developed within the Ifc4Lab Project Group. The contribution highlighted the importance of openBIM and demonstrated the interaction between IFC and Asset Administration Shell (AAS) as a key enabler for interoperable, digital and sustainable laboratory environments.
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September 2025 Category: Community

Publication of CUBE papers announced

In 2025, EGNATON decided to publish its CUBE documents as a series of dedicated papers in 2026. This step will make the developed concepts and insights more accessible and support structured knowledge sharing within the laboratory and sustainability community.
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September 2025 Category: Event

Study Tour Roche Penzberg

In September 2025, EGNATON members visited the Roche site in Penzberg, Germany, for an expert exchange on the future of sustainable laboratory design. A key highlight was the tour of the new Diagnostics Innovation Center, currently in its final commissioning phase. The facility exemplifies a people-centred, highly digitalized and sustainable approach, combining collaborative and agile work environments, comprehensive digitalization of R&D workflows and advanced sustainability measures such as hybrid timber construction, free cooling, natural ventilation and photovoltaics. We sincerely thank the Roche team for their openness, expertise and hospitality, making this visit a highly valuable exchange for all participants.
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July Category: Strategy

Collaboration with buildingSMART Portugal

In 2025, EGNATON started a collaboration with buildingSMART Portugal, focusing on joint activities related to BIM, standardization and BIM use cases. The cooperation includes participation in working groups and events, aiming to align laboratory-specific requirements with international BIM standards and to advance practical use cases for digital planning and operation.
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July 2025 Category: Strategy

Expanding partnership with SLCanada

EGNATON expanded its partnership with SLCanada in 2025, recognising the strong potential of transatlantic cooperation. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being developed to provide a structured framework for collaboration. Key elements include mutual participation in conferences and events, intensified cooperation within project groups and the joint advancement of sustainable and digital solutions for laboratories.
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July 2025 Category: Strategy

Strengthening collaboration with I2SL

In 2025, EGNATON further strengthened its collaboration with I2SL, the US-based partner association for sustainable laboratories. Both organizations started preparing a mutual Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise their cooperation. The partnership focuses on joint participation in events, closer exchange between project groups and the alignment of activities related to digitalization, BIM and sustainable laboratory operations.
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June 2025 Category: Standardization

Advancing Global ISO Standards for Laboratory Design

In June 2025, EGNATON actively contributed to the work on establishing an international ISO standard for laboratory design during the ISO/TC 336 working group conference in Vienna, Austria. Among the key decisions was the creation of a virtual library providing publicly accessible standards, guidelines, and expert insights for modern and sustainable laboratory planning worldwide. EGNATON is pleased to take responsibility for compiling and curating this global knowledge resource, reinforcing its role as a central platform for sustainable laboratory expertise.
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June 2025 Category: Services

Reorganization of EGNATON-CERT initiated

In 2025, EGNATON initiated a comprehensive reorganization of EGNATON-CERT. Certification procedures and audit workflows were reviewed and refined, accompanied by a new design for certificates and labels. In parallel, new marketing measures and strategic concepts were developed to strengthen the visibility, clarity and international reach of EGNATON-CERT.
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June 2025 Category: Community

New EGNATON website launched

In June 2025, EGNATON launched its new website with an updated design and extended functionality. In addition to improved structure and usability, the platform now includes an integrated online shop for event tickets and EGNATON services such as Academy trainings, supporting an efficient and scalable member and community interaction.
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April 2025 Category: Event

I2SL Education Week Europe – European BIM perspectives

EGNATON actively contributed to the I2SL Education Week Europe 2025 with a dedicated session on European perspectives on Lab Building Information Modeling and digitization. Bernd Gmeiner, Christian Kolb and Mario Don Porto Carero presented EGNATON’s activities on BIM standardization for laboratories, digital BIM models and their impact on reducing energy and operating costs. The session highlighted the role of ISO 19650 and demonstrated how laboratory and cleanroom ventilation can be optimized without compromising safety or quality.
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April 2025 Category: Knowledge Hubs

Interdisciplinary Exchange & Circular Economy Strategy

In early April 2025, the EGNATON Group convened at the Riedberg campus of Goethe University Frankfurt for an interdisciplinary exchange across scientific, technical, and sustainability domains. A key outcome of the meeting was the strategic decision to intensify cooperation with greenlab.ch, aiming to jointly develop a viable market strategy for circular economy approaches in existing laboratory infrastructures and equipment. This initiative marks an important step toward extending sustainability beyond new lab construction and into the operational lifecycle of laboratories.
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April 2025 Category: Strategy

New corporate design introduced

In 2025, EGNATON introduced an evolved corporate design, refining the existing logo while maintaining its recognisability. The new design was consistently implemented across presentation templates, LinkedIn campaign visuals, EGNATON-CERT certificates and labels, training materials, the website, event banners and brochures, ensuring a coherent and professional appearance across all communication channels.
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March 2025 Category: Association

In memoriam: Egbert Dittrich

Our dear Egbert Dittrich, founder of EGNATON and Managing Director for more than 16 years, passed away in March 2025. With his vision, dedication and commitment, he shaped EGNATON from its very beginning and laid the foundation for the association as it stands today. We honour his legacy and will continue his work with deep respect and gratitude.
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February 2025 Category: Strategy

Introduction of Knowledge Hubs and Project Groups

EGNATON reorganized its former Working Groups into steering Knowledge Hubs and operational Project Groups. Knowledge Hubs now act as thematic steering committees, collecting expertise, identifying needs and initiating targeted Project Groups. Project Groups are set up with a defined scope, timeline and clear deliverables, enabling focused and results-driven collaboration.
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January 2025 Category: Association

New Board of Executives and Directors appointed

In 2025, EGNATON appointed a new Board of Executives and Board of Directors, strengthening leadership across strategy, industry, planning and research.

Board of Executives
  • Managing Director: Bernd Gmeiner
  • President: Miguel Antunes Pinto (PharmaArquitetos)
  • 1st Vice President: Dr. Christoph Heinekamp (Dr. Heinekamp Laborplanung)
  • 2nd Vice President: Mario Don Porto Carero (Johnson & Johnson)
Board of Directors
  • Angelika Malinowski (Max Planck Society)
  • Jens Feddern (Siemens Switzerland AG)
  • Maike Kranz (Carpus+Partner AG)
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January 2025 Category: Association

Bernd Gmeiner appointed Managing Director of EGNATON

Bernd Gmeiner assumed the role of Managing Director of EGNATON on 1 January 2025. The formal contract signing took place on 20 March 2024 in Jülich together with President Ingo Sternitzke and the former Managing Director, Dr Peter Neurieder, marking the start of a new phase in EGNATON’s development.
© EGNATON e.V. — Timeline view for 2025