On June 10, 2021, ten major German corporations announced the founding of the Quantum Technology and Application Consortium (QUTAC) in Berlin. The founding members were BASF, BMW Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bosch, Infineon, Merck, Munich Re, SAP, Siemens, and Volkswagen, according to the consortium’s announcement.
QUTAC was established to develop quantum computing applications for the chemical, pharmaceutical, insurance, automotive, and technology industries, with the goal of bringing them to market maturity. Federal Minister of Education and Research Anja Karliczek welcomed the formation, stating that Germany and Europe “must become leaders in quantum technology.” Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier also endorsed the initiative.
Funded in part through the federal government’s Stimulus and Future Package, the consortium was positioned as a demand-side complement to Germany’s public investment in quantum hardware and software development.