Professor Dr.-Ing. 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 further advance the networking of the institute 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 once again express my sincere thanks to his predecessor, Dr. Frauke Bunzel, for her successful work. I wish her all the very best for the future, both in her career and in her private life.”

Dr. Steven Eschig is looking forward to his new challenge: “I find it very exciting to work with a dedicated team on future-oriented topics with a focus on sustainability. This includes, amongst other things, identifying the research required by industry and society, and then developing and implementing creative solution approaches for this.”

The career path of Dr. Steven Eschig

After studying chemistry at the Technische Universität Braunschweig, he obtained his doctorate in natural sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) in November 2014. During his studies, Dr. Eschig began working at the Fraunhofer WKI and, from 2010 to 2015, was responsible for the synthesis laboratory. Since 2014, he has been a project manager at the Fraunhofer WKI and carries out work 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 carrying out research into the development of binder systems for diverse applications such as adhesives, coatings, 3D-printing materials and impregnating resins on the basis of vegetable oils, sugar, lignin and waste materials. For customers, the scientists conduct research along the entire value chain of wood coatings and wood bonding. In addition to the synthesis and modification of monomers, this also encompasses the production of binders, including their characterization, formulation, application and testing. Method development for weather-related ageing processes, standardized tests and damage analysis round off the profile of the department.