Covestro-CEO receives Georg Menges Prize

Covestro CEO Markus Steilemann has received the Georg Menges Award of the Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV). With this award, the institute at the RWTH Aachen University honored in particular his commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. The award also recognizes the transfer of knowledge between industry and research, which the doctor of chemistry is committed to. At RWTH Aachen University, Covestro works together with the IKV, the Catalytic Center (CAT) and the Institute of Textile Technology (ITA). The main focus of research is on how the climate gas CO₂ can be used as a raw material for sustainable plastic products.

"The Georg Menges Award is a special honor for me as a former RWTH University student," says Steilemann. "The award encourages us to further promote the successful interaction between application-oriented research and science-based industry. And it shows that plastic is the material of choice for a sustainable future."

"Strong partner that allows new thinking"

The prize was presented by the head of the IKV, Professor Christian Hopmann. He lauded the commitment to plastics as a sustainable material. "With Dr. Markus Steilemann and Covestro AG, research has a strong partner who is interested in the fundamentals, allows new thinking, is persistent, also accepts setbacks and promotes and realizes the implementation of research in processes and products."

The Georg Menges Prize is awarded every two years. In 2020, the award was presented online for the first time on the occasion of the 30th International Colloquium for Plastics Technology. Georg Menges, the award's name sponsor, was Professor of Plastics Processing at RWTH Aachen University from 1965 to 1989. He is considered a pioneer in process engineering. In addition to the IKV, the prize is sponsored by the PlasticsEurope Germany Association and the German Engineering Federation.