SGL Group will renew its commitment to endowing the Chair of Carbon Composites (LCC) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), which began eight years ago. The agreement for a six-year extension was signed by TUM president Prof. Wolfgang A. Herrmann and the SGL Group's CEO, Dr. Jürgen Köhler.
The Chair of Carbon Composites (LCC) was founded in May 2009, with a focus on carbon-fiber composite materials and their applications. The appointment of Professor Klaus Drechsler was made possible through the foundation of a Chair by the SGL Group and investments by TUM.
After the expiry of the foundation agreement, SGL Group will provide an additional EUR 1.2 million in funding for the work of the Chair. Dr. Jürgen Köhler, CEO of SGL Group said: "The cooperation with the Chair of Carbon Composites and Professor Drechsler, the head of the LCC, has proven invaluable to SGL in many respects. It is therefore logical for us to continue supporting the exchange of knowledge, the transfer of innovations, and the development of young talent."
President Herrmann said: "We are now entering the second phase with SGL Group. With this highly respected industrial partner, we will assume a leading role in driving advances in the field of light materials, including carbon composites, which will be very important in the future."
The chair serves as a bridge between fundamental research into carbon-fiber composite materials and their practical applications, especially in the automotive and aerospace engineering sectors.
In addition to providing financial support for research, the partnership is important to SGL Group above all for the resulting exchange of ideas with scientists. For instance, the company cooperated closely with the LCC in the validation of its product portfolio in the field of thermoplastic composite materials.
The picture shows (from the left): Prof. Wolfgang Herrmann (TUM) and Dr. Jürgen Köhler (SGL Group).