25 Years of BGE TECHNOLOGY GmbH
To mark the 25th anniversary of BGE TECHNOLOGY GmbH, we are looking back on our history in four parts:
- 2000–2006: Foundation and Early Years
- 2007–2012: International Projects and Technical Milestones
- 2013–2018: Consolidation and Further Development
- 2019–2025: Present and Future Outlook
2000–2006: Looking Back at the Foundation and Early Years
On 13 July 2000, DBE TECHNOLOGY GmbH (DBE TEC) was officially founded as a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Gesellschaft zum Bau und Betrieb von Endlagern für Abfallstoffe mbH (DBE). The aim was to preserve and further develop the unique expertise built up in radioactive waste disposal and make it available both in Germany and abroad.
In its early years, DBE TEC played an active role in numerous national and international projects. These included support for mine decommissioning, the development of closure concepts for repositories across Europe, and engineering services in the mining and tunnelling sector. Notable milestones included participation in R&D projects such as AIKRISTALL, ASTER, and GENESIS, which provided key foundations for safe backfilling and sealing measures in salt and clay formations.
From the very beginning, DBE TEC was also in high demand internationally, contributing to projects in Belgium, France, Japan, Romania, the Czech Republic, Argentina, and Kazakhstan – underlining the strong global standing of the young company.
Michael Ripkens, Managing Director from 2001 to 2013, recalls:
“The foundation of DBE TEC was a complete success. We quickly established ourselves as a competent partner, and our work significantly advanced the solutions for the complex challenges of radioactive waste disposal.”
His successor, Dr. Jürgen Krone (Managing Director 2013–2018), adds:
“It was inspiring to see how the young team, with expertise and passion, fostered international cooperation. In those early years, a highly motivated group laid the foundation for what is now BGE TECHNOLOGY GmbH.”
The first six years marked a special milestone: a visionary idea transformed into an internationally recognised company – a chapter that BGE TECHNOLOGY GmbH can look back on with pride.