Vorstandsvorsitzender (CEO) and Founder, Ekotechnika AG
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About Stefan Dürr
Stefan Dürr, CEO and founder of Ekotechnika, participated in a March 2021 interview with the Zentrum Wasserstoff Bayern, discussing hydrogen as an opportunity for companies. Dürr described hydrogen as "extremely versatile to produce and extremely versatile to apply," comparing it to a battery for renewable energy. He explained that electrolysis uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, with the hydrogen storing much of the energy used, and that a fuel cell can reverse the reaction to release energy, producing only water as a byproduct. Dürr noted that electrolysis has an efficiency of 60 to 70 percent, with total losses of about 50 percent along the chain, but added that hydrogen can be produced in locations where power lines cannot reach. Dürr also addressed the relevance of hydrogen for small and medium-sized enterprises, stating that the technology is about more than just powering vehicles. He said that companies in other sectors have realized they can apply hydrogen technology to industries involving heat generation, such as combined heat and power, which connects to heating and energy supply. Dürr expressed that a mix of solutions will be needed to avoid CO2 emissions, advocating for "the and and and against the or" approach rather than focusing on a single technology.
Transcript (12 segments)
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Host0:00
He came to Russia as an intern in 1989. Today, Stefan Dürr farms around 200,000 hectares between the Volga, the Southern Urals, and Siberia – an area nearly the size of Luxembourg. The farmer's son from the Odenwald advised the Russian government on land reform, earned money trading seeds and agricultural machinery, and later began buying up larger estates. He now owns 52,000 cattle and at 50 is the country's largest milk producer. President Medvedev was his guest; he received Russian citizenship from Putin. He says he advised the president on sanctions. Perhaps logically, he benefits from the fact that hardly any European agricultural products are allowed into the country. Under EU sanctions, the door could close even for him. After all, he is number one in Russia's agricultural machinery trade. On the conflict between Moscow and the West, the German-Russian says: 'I feel like a child whose parents are getting a divorce.' And now he is here with us at ZDF Morgenmagazin, flown from Moscow last night. Stefan Dürr, good morning.
You live near Voronezh, about 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. How is your emotional state right now, as a child of divorce?
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Stefan Dürr1:30
Mamacita, at the moment I feel safe and secure. The cows give more milk when the guests are at the fence; the cows don't do politics. Many have said it's possible. We know Putin from not so long ago – we met him. Explain to us how this man functions in this conflict as a person. He is presented very differently here. I had a confidential conversation, without press, without protocol. He is a very open person, it touches him deeply. He is certainly not a dictator who wants to take arbitrary actions. Ties to Germany are very important. I believe he is a person who simply wants to be included as a normal European great power. The blame is seen by many with Vladimir Putin.
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Host2:28
Many really blame Vladimir Putin. In the West they say he can't just act aggressively, invade a neighboring country, take over Crimea. What do you say to that?
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Stefan Dürr2:38
Take Crimea? I'm sure that wasn't planned. One must watch. Ukrainian President Yanukovych wavered. He was a man of Russia. Then naturally the blame can be discussed at length. The blame lies at least as much with the West as with Russia. Russia reacted. The bad thing is that now functions return, there is a reaction. Currently on the table: federalism in Ukraine, some independence for the more Russian-settled areas in the east. If that is accepted, it is certainly a good thing. Functions return. He is also a warm person, but if you insult him or get too close, he is certainly the last to give in.
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Host3:25
We spoke to him about sanctions. You advised him on that. How did that come about? Why? It cannot be that one side is punished, which we in Russia cannot understand. I have now become a Russian. I see the news every day. We advised him against sanctions. Was he persuaded, or how can one say yes to that?
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Stefan Dürr3:47
I think I am far too small and insignificant to advise a man like Putin. I gave my opinion; I think he also took note of it. But the influence is probably in the promille range.
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Host4:02
Then tell us – what are the consequences for you? You are the largest milk producer in Europe. How do you see the effects?
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Stefan Dürr4:08
Whoever thinks short-term sees cheeky small advantages, as the film asked. But that is very short-sighted. I mean, we have a short recovery period. Imports come from Germany, Holland, or whatever for milk. On the other hand, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina are on the market. If Europe opens again after sanctions, the Brazilians and Argentinians will not leave with their milk, and the Europeans won't either. If someone says we profited, that is extremely short-sighted. For a long time Russia and Europe were good trading partners. Now it's shifting. Russia is orienting towards East Asia. China plays a big role. Maybe we can cover the pace there. That will hurt very much. For 20 years we built a lot, both economically and interpersonally, between Germany and Russia. That is being destroyed in a few months. As an entrepreneur, I am also looking to China. I know colleagues who have also gone there. They have been forced to look there now. Chinese agricultural entrepreneurs are also surprised by the good things in China. The Chinese are taking advantage of this strongly right now. Chinese representatives in our company invite us, send our people to China to see what we are doing. They are deliberately jumping into the gap that the West has offered.
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Host5:42
How is it for you as a German who works there, who knows the structures and the top politicians? Can you still work as an entrepreneur if this conflict with the EU escalates further?
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Stefan Dürr5:55
There is an uncertainty that is simply stupid. On the other hand, one says one could still work; that is certainly not the case. On the contrary, many of us exchange among entrepreneurs, we stick together more. So the big ones are not seeing doom scenarios. In conclusion, it looks as if Putin has a great interest in getting a corridor to supply Crimea. That's what the current conflict is about. Whether it gets autonomy status or its own statehood remains to be seen. But it would be bad for the economy and for me. I think federalism is a good way; we need good neighborly relations with Ukraine. But I think it would be best to agree on federalism. That is certain. On the other side, if it continues, it's stupid to have war at the border 100 kilometers away. But of course it is terrible for the people who suffer; the economic is secondary.
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Host7:03
Interesting insights from Stefan Dürr, entrepreneur in Russia, with his assessment of the Ukraine conflict also from a personal perspective. Vladimir Putin gave it his all for the guests. Many thanks.