Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGBFraunhofer pioneering work continued at UPM
During my time at Fraunhofer CBP, I set up and managed a pilot plant for organosolv digestion of wood and the scientific group for fractionation of lignocellulose. Scientifically, the focus was mostly on processes for the maximum possible material utilization of wood components, on which we worked with many external partners. Along with the scientific progress, I learned a lot about working in a team, as a leader and in projects during my nine years at Fraunhofer. During the development of CBP, I was able to gain valuable experience in plant engineering.
Since 2019, I have been working for UPM in Leuna, where I am project manager responsible for the construction of a production plant for the manufacture of rubber fillers from lignin. This will allow me to continue Fraunhofer's pioneering work on the use of wood in the chemical industry and contribute to the timely replacement of industrial carbon black, currently produced from petroleum, with wood-based alternatives. In this complex, international project, where many new technologies are being transferred from pilot scale to industrial scale, I can make good use of the experience I have gained at Fraunhofer
I wish CBP and IGB continued success and many exciting projects for the future!