With the initiative "HartSpröde" the region Idar-Oberstein is the center of excellence machining of modern hard-brittle materials.
The driving force and initiator of HartSpröde is the entrepreneur Ralph Effgen.
"These companies now have a future-oriented expertise, which has evolved with the requirements when processing the most modern synthetic materials from tradition and from the fed by artisanal and industrial experience and knowledge about. Even today, many companies are successfully positioned partially unique selling propositions in the market"
(Source: brochure HartSpröde, excerpt from the foreword by Ralph Effgen)
Aim of the project is in addition to the inter-regional marketing of Kompetenzregion the education and training of skilled professionals.