Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemicals company, marked a major milestone at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) by celebrating the tenth anniversary of the TUM Catalysis Research Center (CRC) and the Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award for Catalysis Research. The event highlighted a decade of successful collaboration between industry and academia while recognizing scientists whose groundbreaking research continues to shape the future of catalysis and sustainable chemistry. The celebration also reaffirmed Clariant’s long-term commitment to promoting scientific excellence, supporting young researchers, and accelerating innovation in catalysis.
Partnership Fuels Research and Talent Development
Conrad Keijzer, Chief Executive Officer of Clariant, described the anniversary as an important milestone for the company. He emphasized that Clariant’s collaboration with TUM extends well beyond sponsorship. According to Keijzer, the partnership has created a strong foundation for technological innovation while helping attract and nurture exceptional scientific talent in the field of catalysis.
Honouring the Legacy of Dr. Karl Wamsler
The Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award commemorates the legacy of Dr. Karl Wamsler, one of Germany’s leading post-war chemists and a former Board Member, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Süd-Chemie. Dr. Wamsler firmly believed that scientific knowledge could transform society through innovation. In recognition of his contributions, TUM conferred upon him the title of Honorary Senator in 2015.
To continue his vision, Clariant has sponsored the award since 2017, investing €50,000 annually to encourage excellence in both fundamental and applied catalysis research. The award has become an important platform for recognizing pioneering scientists whose work advances sustainable chemical technologies.
Professor Tao Zhang Receives 2025 Innovation Award
The 2025 Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award was presented to Professor Tao Zhang, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. Professor Zhang received the honour for his pioneering work in single-atom catalysis, a revolutionary concept he introduced in 2011. His research has significantly advanced catalyst design by improving catalytic efficiency, selectivity, and resource utilization across numerous industrial applications. Further highlighting his global scientific impact, Professor Zhang was also named a Clarivate Citation Laureate in 2025.
Professor Frances H. Arnold Named 2026 Laureate
The 2026 Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award was conferred upon Professor Frances H. Arnold of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Professor Arnold earned the recognition for her pioneering contributions to biocatalysis through the development of directed evolution of enzymes. Her breakthrough research has enabled scientists to engineer proteins with entirely new and highly efficient functions, transforming modern biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, sustainable manufacturing, and green chemistry. Today, her work continues to influence research and industrial innovation worldwide.
Clariant Extends Strategic Collaboration with TUM
Strengthening its commitment to catalysis research, the Clariant Foundation has signed a three-year extension of its partnership with the Technical University of Munich. The collaboration dates back to 2010, when both organizations launched the MuniCat initiative to promote cutting-edge catalysis research and facilitate knowledge transfer between academia and industry. The renewed agreement will continue supporting joint research projects, scientific collaboration, and the development of next-generation catalyst technologies.
Advancing the Future of Sustainable Catalysis
Catalysis plays a critical role in improving chemical manufacturing by enhancing process efficiency, reducing energy consumption, lowering emissions, and enabling more sustainable production pathways. Consequently, collaboration between industry leaders and research institutions has become increasingly important for addressing global sustainability challenges. As per the press release, through its long-standing partnership with TUM and continued support for the Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award, Clariant reinforces its commitment to advancing catalysis research, nurturing scientific talent, and developing innovative technologies that will help shape the future of the global chemical industry.
