Clariant honors CleanTech R&D achievements at 2nd Clariant Chemistry Day

Muttenz, April 11, 2014 - Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, co-hosted the 2nd Clariant Chemistry Day with the Chemistry Department of the University of Basel and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) on Thursday April 10, 2014 in Basel, Switzerland.

The event, held at the PharmaCenter of the University of Basel, was opened by Prof. Dr. Edwin C. Constable, Scientific Chairman & Award Committee, Prof. Dr. Gerda Huber, Director University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, School of Life Sciences, and Dr. Martin Vollmer Chief Technology Officer, Clariant International Ltd. A program of guest lectures and poster presentations promoted latest R&D advances in the field of CleanTech to an invited audience of young researchers from the two universities and Clariant scientists. The Clariant Chemistry Day aims to support basic research and improve technology and knowledge transfer between academia and industry in order to strengthen the knowledge base for Clean Tech in Switzerland. In addition, the event also marked the announcement of the "Clariant CleanTech Award" 2014.The Award honors outstanding scientific achievements in the field of Sustainable Chemistry such as resource efficiency, renewable energy, environmental protection. Endowed with a total of CHF 15 000, the Clariant CleanTech Award is open to researchers from both Swiss universities and is judged by the Scientific and Award Committee.

This year, the two first prizes of CHF 5000 were presented to Annika Büttner and Christoph Gasser for their innovative research in the respective areas of solar energy, and biocatalysis. The ceremony was followed by the 2nd Clariant CleanTech Lecture held by Prof. Dr. Anders Hagfeldt from the University of Uppsala, Sweden.   Christian Kohlpaintner, Member of Clariant’s Executive Committee presented the awards. He commented: "It is the ideas of young researchers that help to create the world of tomorrow. And what we need are sustainable solutions that meet the needs of our planet and our people likewise. Clariant and the University of Basel created the CleanTech Award to honor and support such scientific achievements."