Drive Technology Research Association

The Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnik e. V. (FVA) — in English, the Drive Technology Research Association — is a German non-profit industrial research association founded in 1967. It brings together companies and research institutes for pre-competitive research in drive technology, covering mechanical, electrical and mechatronic drive systems for stationary industrial plants, vehicles, mobile machinery and aircraft. Its mission is to develop knowledge and tools for sustainable drive technology and to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of its members through exchange, knowledge transfer and joint agenda-setting. The FVA is organized as a registered association (e. V.) and is a member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen „Otto von Guericke“ (AiF), which makes it eligible to apply for public funding of industrial joint research. Its network is substantial: according to its official website, it counts around 180 companies and 120 research institutes and has run more than 2,300 projects. Wikipedia reports roughly 2,000 industry experts along the value chain, over 300 scientific staff and professors from more than 50 institutes, and about 200 member companies as of 2020. Membership is open to companies that manufacture drive technology products and have at least one production site in Germany; companies without a German production site can become extraordinary members. Member companies span the automotive industry (Audi, BMW, Daimler, Opel, Porsche, Volkswagen), first-tier suppliers (Bosch, Magna, ZF Friedrichshafen, Valeo Siemens, Mahle), mineral oil companies (Addinol Lube, BP Europa, Esso Deutschland) and other industrial firms (AGCO, ALD Vacuum Technologies, Auma Drives, BASF, Delta Electronics, Demag Cranes & Components, Deutsche Edelstahlwerke AG, Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik). The association's research results, such as the FVA/FZG grey staining test (FVA54) and the pitting test, are internationally recognized and recommended by the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) to its members; mineral oil companies reference these tests in their industrial lubricant data sheets. The FVA is governed by a board chaired by Arbogast Grunau (Schaeffler), following Michael Paul (ZF Friedrichshafen, until 2014) and Christian Schliephack (Reintjes). It organizes information events, seminars and conferences, and awards the annual Hans-Winter-Preis since 2000 for outstanding young scientific talent in FVA research projects. Recent activities include the FVA Technology Trend Radar 2025+ and the launch of four new research projects on plastics, measurement technology, circular economy and worm gears, with a total volume of around 400,000 euros, starting 1 September 2026.

The Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnik e. V. (FVA) was founded in 1967 as an association of companies for pre-competitive research in drive technology. Its origins lie in the technical work of the VDMA's Drive Technology Association (Fachverband Antriebstechnik) in the 1960s, when scientific questions gained increasing importance. Companies recognized the need to tackle research topics jointly and founded the association with the purpose of promoting scientific research in drive technology and creating all necessary prerequisites in the relevant fields. The results of this joint research simplify the discussion between manufacturers and users. Over the decades, the FVA has become a central platform for drive technology research in Germany and beyond. Its FVA/FZG test methods, such as the grey staining test (FVA54) and the pitting test, are internationally known and are recommended for use by the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) to its members in the USA. Mineral oil companies reference these tests in the data sheets of their industrial lubricants. The association is a member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen „Otto von Guericke“ (AiF) and is eligible to apply for funding for industrial joint research. Its governance has included chairmen such as Michael Paul (ZF Friedrichshafen, until 2014), Christian Schliephack (Reintjes) and currently Arbogast Grunau (Schaeffler). Since 2000, the Hans-Winter-Preis has been awarded annually at the FVA Information Conference to honor outstanding scientific achievements by young researchers within FVA research projects. As of 2020, the FVA had about 200 member companies, including automotive manufacturers (Audi, BMW, Daimler, Opel, Porsche, Volkswagen), first-tier suppliers (Bosch, Magna, ZF Friedrichshafen, Valeo Siemens, Mahle), mineral oil companies (Addinol Lube, BP Europa, Esso Deutschland) and other industrial firms (AGCO, ALD Vacuum Technologies, Auma Drives, BASF, Delta Electronics, Demag Cranes & Components, Deutsche Edelstahlwerke AG, Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik). Membership requires companies to manufacture drive technology products and have at least one production site in Germany; companies without a German production site can become extraordinary members. The FVA network involves around 2,000 industry experts along the value chain, who accompany the research of over 300 scientific staff and professors from more than 50 institutes in working groups. In recent years, the FVA has continued to expand its activities, publishing the FVA Technology Trend Radar 2025+ and launching new research projects. On 1 September 2026, four new research projects started with a total volume of around 400,000 euros, covering topics from the simulation of fiber-reinforced plastics to digitalization, measurement technology, circular economy and worm gears.

• 2026

  Four new research projects start on 1 September with a total volume of around 400,000 euros.

• 2025

  FVA Technology Trend Radar 2025+ published.

• 2020

  FVA has about 200 member companies.

• 2014

  Michael Paul (ZF Friedrichshafen) ends his term as chairman of the board.

• 2000

  Hans-Winter-Preis awarded annually for the first time at the FVA Information Conference.

• 1967

  FVA founded as an association of companies for pre-competitive research in drive technology.

Non-profit, pre-competitive research network for drive technology, bridging industry and academia to improve technical know-how, product quality and cost efficiency.

• FVA/FZG grey staining test (FVA54)

  Internationally recognized test method recommended by AGMA to its members.

• FVA/FZG pitting test

  Internationally recognized test method referenced by mineral oil companies in lubricant data sheets.

• THEMIS knowledge database

  Knowledge database offered to FVA members.

• FVA Technology Trend Radar 2025+

  Trend radar with 51 trend cards and AI-generated profiles.

1. 1FVA - sharing. drive. innovation.fva-net.de
2. 2Drive Technology Research Associationwikidata.org
3. 3Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnikde.wikipedia.org