Fraunhofer WKI: New Head of Department for Binders and Coatings
Dr. Steven Eschig took over as head of the "Binders and Coatings" department at the Fraunhofer WKI on March 1, 2024. The chemist, who has already worked as a research associate at the Fraunhofer WKI, aims to further develop bio-based adhesives, coatings, flame retardants and other chemical products in interdisciplinary collaboration with industry and research partners.
Dr. Steven Eschig succeeds Dr. Frauke Bunzel, who has been head of the department since December 2018. Professor Bohumil Kasal, Director of the Fraunhofer WKI, is looking forward to the continued cooperation: "Dr. Steven Eschig is a committed expert on the topics of switchable adhesives and sustainable flame retardants, who will continue to drive forward the institute's networking with industry. We are delighted to be able to continue our successful collaboration with him as Head of Department. I would like to take this opportunity to thank his predecessor, Dr. Frauke Bunzel, once again for her successful work. I wish her all the best in her future career and personal life.
Dr. Steven Eschig is looking forward to his new challenge: "I find it very exciting to work with a dedicated team on forward-looking topics with a focus on sustainability. Among other things, this includes identifying research needs from industry and society and developing and implementing creative solutions for them."
After studying chemistry at the Technical University of Braunschweig, he obtained his doctorate in natural sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) in November 2014. Dr. Eschig already worked at the Fraunhofer WKI during his studies and was responsible for the synthesis laboratory from 2010 to 2015. He has been a project manager at the Fraunhofer WKI since 2014 and works on the research topics of switchable adhesives, sustainable flame retardants and formaldehyde-free condensation resins. In the "Binders and Coatings" department, Dr. Eschig and his colleagues will be researching the development of binder systems for various applications such as adhesives, coatings, 3D printing materials and impregnating resins based on vegetable oils, sugar, lignin and waste materials. The scientists conduct research for customers along the entire value chain of wood coatings and adhesives. This includes the synthesis and modification of monomers, the production of binders including their characterization, formulation, application and testing. Method development for weather-related ageing processes, standard tests and damage analysis round off the department's profile.