Dr. Lorenz Granrath | Production Technology | Best Researcher Award

Japan Representative , Fraunhofer ICNAP, Japan

Dr. Lorenz Granrath  is a German-born expert in EU-Japan science-industry collaboration, with over 25 years of dedicated work in advanced technology sectors including AI, digital transformation (DX), environmental technology, and renewable energy. Based in Tokyo, Japan, he has held prominent roles such as Professor, Senior Advisor, and Representative in numerous German-Japanese institutional partnerships. He has successfully initiated and led international research projects, founded labs, advised companies, and lectured at leading universities including Waseda University. He is married to Megumi Ishigami and has one daughter.

Publication Profile

• Scopus
• ORCID

Summary of Suitability for Best Research Award – Dr. Lorenz Granrath

Dr. Lorenz Granrath exemplifies an outstanding candidate for the Best Research Award due to his extensive and impactful career in international science-industry collaboration, particularly between the EU and Japan. With over 25 years of strategic involvement in AI, digital transformation (DX), renewable energy, and advanced industrial technologies, he has played a crucial role in bridging academia, government bodies, and industry stakeholders. His leadership in securing funding, initiating R&D centers, establishing major cross-national collaborations (such as between AIST and DFKI), and launching cutting-edge projects like e-VITA, underscores his long-standing commitment to advancing global research agendas.

🎓 Education Background

Dr. Granrath earned his Doctorate in Economics (Dr. oec.) from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland (1990–1994), where his thesis explored the protection and exchange of technologies between Japanese and Western firms. He also studied as a Visiting Researcher at The University of Tokyo (1992–1993). He holds a diploma in Industrial Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) from the University of Karlsruhe (KIT), Germany, and completed his secondary education at Schloßschule Kirchberg/Jagst in 1981.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Granrath currently serves as the Representative at Fraunhofer-ICNAP since November 2024 and at the Institute for Experimental Psychophysiology (IXP) since June 2022, focusing on networked adaptive production and psychophysiological emotion detection. He is an advisor to multiple organizations, including ENV Science Trading and Kienbaum Japan, and has been a Visiting Lecturer at Waseda University since 2013. Notably, he served as Project Assistant Professor at Tohoku University (2021–2022) and held a key position as Supervisory Innovation Coordinator at AIST (2014–2021), where he led international AI and energy collaborations. Earlier roles include Fraunhofer Chief Representative Japan (2001–2013), Liaison Officer at GMD (1997–2001), and Project Manager at ABB STOTZ KONTAKT GmbH (1995–1997), underscoring his deep engagement in research and industrial application across continents.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Granrath’s contributions to EU-Japan collaboration have been recognized through his leadership roles in landmark projects and his success in securing multimillion-euro research contracts. He has been instrumental in initiating major projects such as e-VITA and CrossCDR, establishing international workshops, and founding research labs. His membership in prominent organizations like the Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle, DJW, JSAI, and the JSPS Alumni reflects his standing in the academic and industrial community.

🔬 Research Focus

His interdisciplinary research spans artificial intelligence, digital twins, circular economy, smart aging, and human-centric computing. He has played a vital role in developing technologies for healthy aging, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. Dr. Granrath’s involvement in projects like e-VITA and initiatives in digital transformation highlight his commitment to bridging societal needs with cutting-edge scientific innovation, especially within the EU-Japan cooperative framework.

📚 Top Publications with Notes

1. RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas
   🔹 Buildings (2025)

2. Designing a circular cities declaration for Japan building on the European Union’s case study
   🔹 Journal of Environmental Management (2024)
   🔹 Cited by: 5 articles

3. Digital Twins for Supporting Ageing Well: Approaches in Current Research and Innovation in Europe and Japan
   🔹 Sustainability (2024)
   🔹 Cited by: 6 articles

4. The rising phenomenon of circular cities in Japan: Case studies of Kamikatsu, Osaki and Kitakyushu
   🔹 Science of The Total Environment (2023)
   🔹 Cited by: 12 articles

5. Circular economy and zero-carbon strategies between Japan and South Korea: A comparative study
   🔹 Science of The Total Environment (2022)
   🔹 Cited by: 18 articles

6. Social Capital Mediates the Association between the ICT Usage and Well-Being of Older People in Japan
   🔹 Sustainability (2022)
   🔹 Cited by: 15 articles

7. EU-Japan Project e-VITA in Society 5.0: the “Digital Twin for Smart Aging”
   🔹 LinkedIn Newsletter Article (2022)