The statutes of the scientific association “Österreichische Tribologische Gesellschaft” (Austrian Tribology Society) grant honorary memberships to persons in recognition and appreciation of outstanding services through financial support to the scientific goals of the ÖTG, and to many years of scientific and economic service in the field of tribology. On the suggestion of Prof. Dr. Friedrich Franek, Dr. Berndt-Thomas Krafft, Managing Director of the Metalworking Industry Association (FMTI) of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, was unanimously awarded honorary membership of the ÖTG by the ÖTG General Assembly on 20 November 2019.

Dr. Berndt-Thomas Krafft has been involved with the concerns of the industrial implementation of tribology in the economy for many years. He has been the chairman of the strategy advisory board at the Excellence Center for Tribology for more than 10 years. Dr. Berndt-Thomas Krafft has made a sustained effort to ensure that several international ÖTG events (Viennano, ECOTRIB) took place on the premises of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. The ÖTG was able to offer very attractive participation opportunities to national and international attendees from industry and science by providing premises and catering services at very reasonable prices or in some cases free of charge, thus optimizing the dissemination of knowledge through a higher number of participants.

Dr. Berndt-Thomas Krafft is the fourth honorary member since the founding of the ÖTG.

The award certificate was handed over on 9 March 2020 at the FMTI Association in Vienna by the President of the ÖTG, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pauschitz, in the presence of the Vice President of the ÖTG, Ms. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Nicole Dörr, the FMTI speaker, Barbara Schicker, and Prof. Dr. Friedrich Franek.