On the 19th of February 2025, the Junge Gruppe (meaning: Young Group) of the German Waste Wood Association held its first meeting of the year – and the response was huge. 34 young up-and-coming leaders from the industry gathered in Mannheim to network in a relaxed atmosphere, discuss current developments in the sector, and gain exciting insights into innovative energy concepts. The Brüning Group was represented by Matthias Warnke, COO Recycling & Waste, as well as Roman Holzwart and Amadeus Goroncy from the waste wood unit.
THE FUTURE OF WASTE WOOD
The event was organised by Benny Wilhelm, material flow manager at MVV Umwelt Ressourcen. He founded the Junge Gruppe in 2023 together with Matthias Warnke. Then as now, the goal is to provide professionals under the age of 38 with an informal platform for knowledge transfer and networking. Especially in an industry shaped by experienced experts, this is a real asset for the new generation.
OF POWER PLANTS AND COCOA SHELLS – A DAY FULL OF ENERGY
Following a relaxed get-together, we went straight to the heart of the energy sector: with an exclusive tour of the power plant site ‘Friesenheimer Insel’. Here, the participants got a first-hand look at how waste wood turns into a valuable resource. This concept is also reflected in our work: as a reliable partner, the Brüning Group provides power plants with processed waste wood, thus actively contributing to a sustainable energy supply. Roman found this part of the program particularly insightful: “It was especially interesting for me to see how the supply and processing at the MVV waste wood power plant differs from our long-standing customer in Emlichheim. The direct comparison made it clear once again that each power plant has its own methods and challenges.”
Another highlight was the visit of Schokinag, a chocolate factory with a smart energy supply concept: the cocoa shells, a by-product of chocolate production, are used to generate heat here – a prime example of a circular economy in practice.
Beyond the technical insights, personal exchange was a key focus of the day. During a shared dinner, participants forged connections, exchanged business cards, and discussed industry-related topics before the grand finale: an ice hockey match between Adler Mannheim and the Wolfsburg Grizzlys at the SAP Arena. This provided the perfect opportunity to round off the event in a relaxed atmosphere and continue conversations in a dynamic sports setting. This was particularly valuable for Roman: “The exchange with the other participants gave me new insights into the different companies we work with, because many of the attendees came from regions in Germany that I am not usually involved with.”
COMMITMENT TO THE NEXT GENERATION
With the many dedicated young professionals in our team, it is especially important for us to support the next generation of the waste wood sector. “For me, it was the first time I’d attended an event of the German Waste Wood Association – so it was a completely new experience. I was the youngest person around, and for me it was super exciting to get to know so many different personalities from a wide range of companies in one day as well as getting the first deals off the ground,” Amadeus enthusiastically sums up the day. The enthusiasm of all participants shows: the Junge Gruppe of the German Waste Wood Association is on the right track to actively shape the industry’s future. We are proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to the next meeting – and to shaping the future of the waste wood market together.