Ingenuity and the courage to rapidly transform novel ideas into tangible products have marked the outstanding successes throughout Wünning’s career. Numerous inventions and patents are exemplary for his accomplishments; even more noteworthy is the global implementation of these ideas and their enormous contribution to protecting our environment. Undoubtedly, the FLOX® technology is the most prominent invention. For this breakthrough technology, Joachim A. Wünning and his son received the German Environmental Award - Europe’s most prestigious environmental award - in 2011. The process of flameless oxidation, known as FLOX®, used with highly efficient industrial burners, drastically reduces nitrous oxide emissions, which are harmful for human health and the environment. Since its discovery, FLOX® has continued to significantly impact the global landscape of industrial combustion technology.
Joachim A. Wünning can reflect on a lifetime of achievements, which in many ways is unique and exemplary. Yet, instead of looking back - even at a respectable age of 95 - his gaze is firmly set on the future; a future far beyond what he himself can expect to experience. His mission is to make a significant contribution, to leave something meaningful behind, advancing the world in the global fight against climate change and helping to create a future worth living in – one where industry, society and environment coexist in harmony. This drive explains his daily presence in the R&D lab and at his desk, working diligently on new ideas and inventions and turning them into tangible solutions at a record pace – even at his advanced age.
Joachim A. Wünning, who founded his company WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH in 1982, often remarks „The last 30 years of my career were the best“. Owning to support from his son – who now handles day-to-day business operations – Wünning has been able to devote himself fully to his true passion of research and development. In the past three decades of „active retirement“ many more ground breaking innovations were made, such as the gapflow recuperator and the self-regenerative burner REGEMAT® achieving previously unreached efficiency. The gas-tight furnace transport system ROLLMOD® and the oil-free quenching technology GASoFORM®. And, most recently, highly efficient reformer technology for decentralized applications has been developed. This technology enables the production of high-purity hydrogen through the cracking of biogenic gases or ammonia. Even FLOX® 2 is currently in development, a key technology for the clean and efficient use of the green fuels of the future.
Historically, Wünning’s roots can be traced back to the furnace industry. Only in his early 50s did he begin to focus on heating technology for industrial high temperature processes. The oil crisis finally convinced him of the economic and ecological potential of more efficient heating systems. Now and then, public perception of energy savings and environmental protection in the thermal processing industry, is not a priority. This is not surprising – while many of us participate in daily traffic, only very few people are exposed to industrial furnaces that heat goods to temperatures of 1000°C or more. But precisely this thermal processing industry plays a vital role in climate protection, considering that one third of Germany’s industrial energy demand is used in high temperature processes.
Natural gas continues to be the most commonly used energy carrier in the thermal process industry. Yet, the current consensus is that its decline has begun for political and environmental reasons. However, many industrial processes heated with natural gas can only be electrified with great difficulty - or not at all. Lacking more efficient technological options, such as heat pumps at lower temperatures, the only alternative when using electricity at elevated temperatures is highly inefficient resistance heating. In addition, many processes require uninterrupted and stable energy supply 24/7, throughout the year, and are ill suited to follow the production curve of renewables. Compounding this is the high CO2 footprint of electric power generation – in Germany as well as globally. Therefore, adding large consumers would negatively impact the carbon balance sheet in the short and medium term. In addition, the required adaptation of local and regional infrastructure poses large hidden costs for industrial electrification. Experts largely agree that large-scale storage of fluctuating power generation, as well as the continuing demand for imported energy, can only be achieved with chemical energy carriers. Hydrogen as well as ammonia - which is particularly well suited for energy import from countries with abundant sunshine - are viable solutions.
The underlying goals of using chemical energy carriers to heat industrial process are consistent: achieving the highest possible efficiency combined with lowest emissions of unwanted byproducts. It is irrelevant whether natural gas, hydrogen or ammonia is combusted; however, the pathway to achieving these goals is highly relevant. Thanks to the inventions of Wünning, traditional fuels such as natural gas are easily handled. Ninety percent efficiency and NOx emissions lower than 100 mg/Nm3 have been a standard at his company WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH for many years. Hydrogen as an energy carrier is also widely considered manageable. However, further development is required for other new fuels, especially for the direct usage of ammonia.
More than 100,000 WS burners installed globally achieve approximately 15,000 tons NOx savings and about 10 million tons CO2 savings annually compared to conventional heating systems. A readily understandable analogy can be made: the amount of energy saved by WS products annually significantly exceeds the energy production potential of the three recently deactivated German nuclear power plants. Therefore, it is obvious that Wünning’s lifetime achievements are of politically relevant scale. Compared to the cost of other emissions reduction technologies, his technology represents an easily attainable and economical CO2 reduction potential that can even be significantly expanded in the future.
The CO2 balance of industrial heating continues to improve as growth of green fuels substitutes fossil energy carriers. Despite this trend, many companies decide to use outdated technology. Mostly because of the low cost of fossil fuels (despite its demonization) and the failure to put a price on the external effects of NOx and CO2 for mostly political reasons. A striking example of this effect can be seen in the USA. The energy saving technologies of Wünning’s companies always achieved their biggest success when energy prices were high. This was the case in 2008, during the height of the financial crisis. The business with high-tech burner technology boomed due to the record-high gas prices in the USA. Today, fifteen years later, gas prices have dropped to a quarter of those levels, mostly due to the rise of fracking technology and political influences. Some US companies are suddenly reverting to traditional business models based on simple and inefficient technology at the lowest cost available on the global market. A fallacy, considering that the energy cost over the lifetime of the equipment far surpasses the initial investment in more efficient technology, even at very low energy prices. This effect is even more pronounced given the expected higher cost of green energy in the future. Therefore, technology from WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH continues to enable the achievement of positive economical results while meeting environmental protection targets.
The career of Joachim A. Wünning spans many decades – much more time than is afforded to most inventors. Few individuals are capable of shaping an entire industry and igniting such passion that endures into advanced age. To this very day, Wünning literally burns for his field of work, and besides creating exceptional inventions, he maintains remarkable mental and physical acuity. In addition to his successful group of companies, employing nearly 200 people, Wünning can be proud of the significant positive impact on society and the environment achieved by his life’s work.
It is with pride and great gratitude that the entire WS family congratulates the technical father of our award-winning products on his well-deserved award of the Federal Cross of Merit.
Thank you Joachim A. Wünning!
WS has been known worldwide for decades as the undisputed technology and market leader in the field of industrial burner technology for the thermoprocessing industry. For next-generation products, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing are of course also used.
The WS Group was blessed with beautiful weather on April 30, 2025 when almost 500 guests accepted the invitation to "Dance into May" to celebrate the inauguration of two newly built halls in Renningen. With a large number of employees, customers, suppliers and political guests, the day was an entertaining experience that included in-depth technical discussions as well as joint networking.
New CNC lathe at WS - high-end solution for precision and quality in in-house production and new development. The lathe from SPINNER Werkeugmaschinenfabrik GmbH will complement the extensive machine park at WS in the future.
Just in time for the start of the year, the WS Service department is delighted to have taken over and used the new WS Service Center. After extensive conversion work in the newly acquired building, nothing now stands in the way of its use as the new control center for our service department.
There was a lot to celebrate at the WS Summer Party 2024. Around 250 guests spent a thoroughly successful day in Renningen in the best weather and found out about the many new developments in the WS Group. Good food and a cold drink or two ensured a great atmosphere and fond memories.
Several high-ranking delegations from China visited WS in Renningen to find out about the best industrial burner technology available. The focus of the visit was on the low-emission and efficient heating of electric conveyor belt systems. Due to the increasing production of electric vehicles, this market segment is currently experiencing an upswing, particularly in Asia.
