Alexandra Knauer Awarded Order of Merit

On 1 October 2023, Alexandra Knauer was awarded the Order of Merit of the State of Berlin by Governing Mayor Kai Wegner. This honour is conferred upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the city.

Alexandra Knauer and the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner. | Image Credit: © Knauer

Alexandra Knauer received recognition for her achievements as a successful and socially conscious entrepreneur. The company Knauer developed production equipment for encapsulating mRNA into lipid nanoparticles for vaccine production during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. These microscopic lipid nanoparticles enable the safe delivery of the vaccine ingredients to body cells, with the BioNTech vaccine being produced using Knauer’s equipment.

Since 2020, Alexandra Knauer has participated in the “Women in Business” initiative by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, which aims to encourage more women to make the move into self-employment.

Beyond her business accomplishments, Knauer’s commitment to social responsibility was highlighted, exemplified by her company’s emphasis on sustainability and equal opportunities. Knauer has effectively eliminated a significant gender pay gap, with women earning just under 1.4% more than men at the beginning of 2023. In contrast, the unadjusted pay gap in Germany remains at 18%.

At the event, Alexandra Knauer acknowledged her team of 190 employees and co-managing director, attributing their commitment as the driving force behind the company’s innovation.

For more information, please visit: www.knauer.net