Knowledge & Support · funding

EEW funding for Airleader systems and compressed air technology.

For Airleader systems, three ways can be considered in the Federal Fund for Energy and Resource Efficiency in Business: as a superordinate control of a renewed compressed air station in Module 1, as a data and MSR component of a listed energy management system in Module 3, or as part of a comprehensive efficiency project in Module 4.

Requests for a funding check BAFA funding information

Funding rates · checked on 21 September 2026

How much funding can each business receive?

Modules 1, 3 and 4 are relevant to Airleader projects. The table shows maximum rates excluding the decarbonisation bonus. Business size, eligible costs and the applicable funding category determine the rate; rates from different modules cannot be added together for the same costs.

EEW rates for BAFA grants or KfW repayment subsidies. IGK = eligible total investment costs; IMK = eligible additional investment costs. AGVO = General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).
Module / funding category	Small enterprises	Medium-sized enterprises	Large enterprises	Kostenbasis
Module 1 · Cross-cutting technologies	25 %	20 %	not eligible	IGK
Module 3 · Measurement, control, sensors and energy management software	45 %	35 %	25 %	IGK
Module 4 · Premium: GBER, additional costs	45 %	35 %	25 %	IMK
Module 4 · Premium: GBER, total costs at a reduced rate	20 %	15 %	10 %	IGK
Module 4 · Premium: dedicated climate-protection measure under GBER	45 %	35 %	25 %	IGK · special eligibility conditions must be met
Module 4 · Premium: de minimis	45 %	35 %	25 %	IGK · subject to available de minimis allowance
Module 4 · Basic: listed equipment categories only	15 %	10 %	not eligible	IGK · not a general funding route for compressed-air controllers

Official EEW information sheet with funding rates ↗

Which rate applies to your business?

The EU business-size classification is decisive.

The EU SME definition applies. Both the employee threshold and a financial threshold must be met; either turnover or balance-sheet total is sufficient for the financial criterion. Partner and linked enterprises must be included under EU rules. Micro-enterprises count as small enterprises here.

KU< 50

Small enterprises

Fewer than 50 employees AND either annual turnover of no more than €10 million or an annual balance-sheet total of no more than €10 million.

MU< 250

Medium-sized enterprises

Fewer than 250 employees AND either annual turnover of no more than €50 million or an annual balance-sheet total of no more than €43 million, provided the small-enterprise criteria are no longer met.

GUnot an SME

Large enterprises

Businesses without SME status. Ownership links can mean that a small individual business belongs to this category. Module 1 and Module 4 basic funding are not available to them.

One program, two ways

Direct grant or loan with repayment subsidy.

Eligible applicants include commercial and municipal enterprises, self-employed professionals and energy-service contractors with an eligible project in Germany. Module-specific and state-aid exclusions still apply. BAFA and KfW use the same technical EEW requirements.

Grantdirect

BAFA

Airleader and the associated compressed-air equipment are included as investments under the relevant EEW module. After approval, implementation and proof of use, BAFA pays the approved grant.

Loan 295Credit facility

KfW

Applications are made through a financing partner. The repayment subsidy reduces the loan amount to be repaid. The state-aid value of the interest-rate reduction may reduce the maximum permitted repayment subsidy.

Project-specific

One funding path per measure

The choice between BAFA and KfW funding must be made before the project begins. The specific station concept and the conditions applicable at the time of application are decisive.

EEW modules 1, 3 and 4

Where Airleader fits specifically into the funding.

The three modules cover different Airleader projects. Decisive is not only the product, but its function in the planned overall system.

Module 1 · Airleader with a new compressed-air system25 % / 20 %

Superordinate control of a highly efficient station

Airleader can be part of the eligible replacement of a compressed air system in module 1. In the case of several compressors, the BAFA requires a higher-level control system that operates the machines in an energy-optimal manner – for example, in a common pressure band.

Airleader along with high-efficiency new compressors
Energy-optimal guidance of several machines
Replacing a less efficient existing system
Compliance with BAFA technical criteria for the complete plant

Module 3 · Only with a listed EnMSto 45 %

Integrate Airleader data into energy management software

Airleader alone does not meet the requirement of Module 3. Control, sensors and data interfaces can only be funded if the customer uses energy management software listed by BAFA and integrates the relevant Airleader data into the management process there.

Provide measured values such as power, pressure and volume flow
Transfer data directly or via a control system
Document integration in the system concept and data acquisition or impact plan
Store energy indicators in the listed software for at least three years

Module 4 · Airleader as part of the overall conceptSavings concept

Efficiency project with a savings concept

Premium funding may apply to an eligible process or existing-system optimisation. Simply replacing a compressor is not a general route into Module 4: Module 1 technologies are generally excluded unless a specifically defined exception applies.

Measure and evaluate the actual state of the station
Simulate Airleader operation with identical consumption
Demonstrate overall measure and GHG savings in the savings concept
Meet required BAFA thresholds and eligibility conditions

Module 3 · Mandatory requirement

Without listed energy management software no funding for Airleader.

The Airleader web visualization in Module 3 does not replace the prescribed, BAFA-listed energy management software. The customer must use a listed system and comprehensibly integrate the Airleader data into it.

Official BAFA list

Certified energy management software

Before project planning, check whether the energy management system used or planned is included in the current BAFA funding list.

Open BAFA funding list ↗

How funding is calculated

The percentage must be applied to the right cost base.

IGK

Eligible total costs

This is the approved investment amount, including permitted incidental costs. Ineligible items are deducted; recoverable input VAT is not part of the cost base.

IMK

Additional costs compared with a reference investment

Only the difference compared with the approved, less efficient reference investment counts. Therefore, 45% of additional costs does not automatically mean 45% of the total order value.

Example · small enterprise

Same investment, different cost base

For €100,000 in approved total costs and €40,000 in approved additional costs, 20% of IGK equals €20,000; 45% of IMK equals €18,000. Funding caps and other conditions must also be checked.

Funding limits

Which amounts cap the grant?

The funding rate is a ceiling. Where several limits apply, the lowest permitted amount is decisive. Measures connected technically, economically and administratively are assessed together.

Module 1: Minimum investment: €2,000; maximum grant per project: €200,000.
Module 3: Maximum grant per project: €20 million.
Module 4 · Premium: Maximum grant: €20 million, also capped by annual greenhouse-gas savings.
CO₂ funding cap · Module 4 Premium: Small enterprises: €2,600; medium-sized: €2,200; large: €1,600 per tonne of CO₂ equivalent saved annually. Example: 10 tonnes/year for a small enterprise gives a maximum grant of €26,000 – not an annual payment.
De minimis · Module 4 Premium: No more than €300,000 in de minimis aid over a rolling three-year period for a single undertaking. Previously granted aid uses up this allowance; the CO₂ funding cap also applies.
Module 4 · Basic: Minimum investment: €10,000; maximum grant: €20 million. Listed equipment only, with at least 15% final-energy savings.

Clear delimitation

What to consider in Airleader projects.

Is Airleader eligible in Module 3 without an external energy management system?

No. The prerequisite is an energy management software listed by BAFA. The funding-relevant Airleader data must be integrated into this software and used there for the management process.

Is an Airleader control automatically eligible via Module 1?

No. Airleader shall be part of an eligible exchange of compressed air generation. Module 1 applies only to SMEs; in addition, existing plant, new compressors and overall project must meet the current technical requirements.

What savings does Module 4 Premium require?

The savings concept must demonstrate at least 30% annual greenhouse-gas savings or an absolute saving of at least 100 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year for small enterprises, 300 tonnes for medium-sized enterprises or 1,000 tonnes for large enterprises. The payback period without funding must exceed three years. A measurement week and simulation support the evidence but do not replace the savings concept.

Does compressor replacement automatically qualify under Module 4?

No. Equipment in Module 1 categories is generally excluded from Module 4 Premium, including for large enterprises. An exception may apply, for example, if these components do not form a substantial part of an eligible overall project. This must be checked against the technical rules before applying. Compressed-air controllers are not a separate equipment category under Module 4 basic funding either.

When do the higher rates apply to total costs?

Under Module 4 Premium, de minimis rules may allow 45 / 35 / 25% of IGK if sufficient aid allowance remains. Under GBER, the full rate applies to IGK in certain cases, including explicitly recognised dedicated climate-protection measures, such as a clearly identifiable additional investment solely for efficiency improvements. This is not an automatic classification for every Airleader retrofit.

Is an additional decarbonisation bonus available?

Only for qualifying measures, such as external use of waste heat, electrification using renewable electricity or eligible hydrogen measures. Reduced-rate IGK funding may receive an extra 5 percentage points; IMK, recognised dedicated climate-protection measures or de minimis funding may receive 10 extra points. This results in maximum rates of 25 / 20 / 15% or 55 / 45 / 35% for small / medium-sized / large enterprises. Ordinary compressed-air optimisation or internal heat recovery does not automatically qualify for this bonus.

When can equipment be ordered and work begin?

The funding route and application must be clarified before the project starts. As a rule, wait for the grant award or KfW approval before starting; an earlier start requires the applicable authorisation. Ordering too early can make the project ineligible.

Is this page a funding commitment?

No. Checked on 21 September 2026 against official EEW documents, particularly KfW information sheet 295 (December 2025) and current programme information. Rates apply to eligible costs; the application conditions and the funding authority's decision remain binding.

We structure existing plant, Airleader components and technical documents. The binding grant decision shall be taken by the competent granting authority.

Requests for a funding check Understand the measurement week