Project DiSTILL Aims to Make Logistics in the Lausitz Transparent

On Monday, October 9th, the mFUND project DiSTILL celebrated its official launch in Cottbus. The project team aims to transparently represent the logistical infrastructure of the Brandenburg-Saxon Lausitz and make it publicly accessible. By developing logistical services around rail transport, the regional logistics and transport sector can be strengthened. A planned simulation tool will allow users to visualize and assess logistics performance.

(Cottbus) For decades, the economy and culture of the Lausitz region have been shaped by the lignite industry. Now, it is transforming into an innovative energy, industry, and tourism region. Thanks to its favorable geographical location, the region has the potential to actively participate in the European sustainable value creation network and play a significant role. The DiSTILL project (Digital Simulation Tool for the Development of the Lausitz Region into an International Logistics Hub) was initiated to specifically support this development.

The collaborative project is coordinated by the Logistics Department of the Technical University of Berlin under the leadership of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Straube.

Other Project Partners

• Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Cottbus,
• IPG Infrastructure and Project Development Company mbh,
• Software development company i-ways,
• Logistics company Lion Group,
• Transport and forwarding company Schwarze Pumpe (TSS) mbH,
• PR agency Medienbüro am Reichstag.

“Logistics is a key function in the sustainable development of a region. We are happy to be part of this development in the Lausitz as a research institution,” emphasizes Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Straube, head of the Logistics Department at TU Berlin, regarding the significance of DiSTILL at the project launch.

Jens Krause, spokesperson for the Economic Transport Network Lausitz and General Manager for Structural Change/Infrastructures and Transport at IHK Cottbus, says: “Lausitz is still a blank spot on international logistics maps, while sustainable mobility is being implemented here more and more. Therefore, there is an urgent need for greater visibility for the players in the logistics and transport sector and the services in the region. We look forward to successfully implementing the project.”

Making the Lausitz Region More Known

The project team will work on and realize the previously defined work packages until early 2026. The result will be an analysis of the current and future logistical requirements for the Lausitz region, as well as a database of current and planned logistics infrastructure projects. Based on these results, a digital simulation tool will be developed, which will be based on freely available data. The tool can help efficiently manage logistical requirements, promote a robust regional network, advance sustainable value creation networks, and support existing companies in optimizing their logistical processes. Furthermore, the Lausitz region is to be made better known both regionally, nationally, and internationally. The DiSTILL project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the mFUND innovation initiative with around 2 million euros.

About DiSTILL

The DiSTILL project is dedicated to supporting the Lausitz region in the context of regional development. The strengths and opportunities of the region are to be utilized, and its challenges addressed, to prepare the region for the logistical requirements of the future and to make it a key player in Europe’s sustainable value creation networks. To achieve this overall goal, project objectives are defined, which are to be achieved within the project duration. In addition, a digital simulation model of the logistics network of Lausitz will be developed to make the logistics performance of the region measurable. The tool assists users in planning infrastructural and organizational measures within Lausitz and promises better cost-benefit assessments and thus also planning reliability for corresponding projects.

More Information

Photo/Graphic: © DiSTILL