Press release
Corporate Press
September 17, 2014

Evonik launches Friedrich Bergius Lecture

  • Awarded to Professor Dr. Markus Antonietti, director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam
  • Dr. Klaus Engel: "Top-class research secures jobs and prosperity."
  • Evonik and university professors discuss research results on new materials

Evonik Industries, one of the leading global specialty chemicals companies, has announced its first-ever Friedrich Bergius Lecture award. For 2014 it went to Professor Dr. Markus Antonietti, the director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam (Germany). With the lecture, Evonik gives outstanding scientists the opportunity to speak on scientifically relevant issues. In his speech, Antonietti gave an overview of his research on colloid and interface chemicals to some two hundred scientists from well-known German universities as well as Evonik researchers.

The Friedrich Bergius Lecture will be awarded on the occasion of the regularly held "Evonik Meets Science" forum in the future. Friedrich Bergius received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1931 jointly with Carl Bosch. He worked for one of the predecessor companies of Evonik from 1914 to 1918, initially as the head of research and then as a member of the executive board of Th. Goldschmidt AG from 1916. His research continues to influence some of the chemicals produced at Evonik to this day.

Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries Dr. Klaus Engel said: "Top-class research in Germany matters and must be promoted. As the foundation for technological progress and modern industrial production, it secures jobs and prosperity." For Evonik, cutting-edge research is the basis of innovations that open up new business opportunities for the specialty chemicals company and strengthen its leading market and technological positions.

Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Peter Nagler said: "Innovative power and efficient research are already the hallmarks of Evonik. We continuously work to expand these strengths and strive to place even greater emphasis on research and development to remain at the leading edge of trends and scientific progress." The specialty chemical company regularly seeks dialog with scientists as part of its "Evonik Meets Science" concept. Evonik has been organizing this scientific forum in Germany, China, Japan and the US for around ten years.

New materials as drivers of technological progress

This year's meeting of industry representatives and academics, hold on September 16 and 17 in Fulda (Germany), will focus on new materials. The scientific program features presentations by researchers from Evonik and professors about the results of collaboration projects. Topics to be discussed include composites, membrane technology, bio-based polymers, and organic radical batteries. In Nagler's view, new materials belong to the key innovation areas of Evonik, which the specialty chemicals company identifies in line with the global megatrends of health and nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization.

"New materials developed with the help of specialty chemicals can make a tangible contribution to greater resource efficiency, climate protection and health. Examples include particularly low-weight materials for cars, membranes used in energy generation, or biodegradable implants for medical technology," says Nagler.

New materials have always been key drivers of technological progress. According to the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research, more than two thirds of all technical innovations are directly or indirectly associated with new materials. This applies across almost all sectors of industry and areas of demand.

Company information

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders
in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms.

Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2013 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around €12.7 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.0 billion.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.