Interview with Dr. Christian Schmelzer

What were the highlights of 2024 for you in the “Biological and macromolecular materials” business division?

One particular highlight was the successful seed financing round for matrihealth GmbH, an innovative company founded in 2022 that specializes in the isolation and processing of elastin. With a seven-figure financing sum, provided by two well-known private investors and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, matrihealth was able to launch production in 2024, drive scaling efforts, and expand into new market segments. Another highlight was the intensive exchange with our Industry Advisory Board. In two meetings, we discussed strategic issues, analyzed market developments, and identified specific fields for action. The Advisory Board has played a crucial role in refining our strategic focus and addressing challenges at an early stage. Its input, drawn from various industries, has significantly influenced our development over the past year.

What portfolio does the business area offer and what expertise can your customers benefit from?

We provide comprehensive support to customers in the medical, care, nutrition and environmental sectors environmental sectors in developing future-oriented materials. We use our microstructural expertise to analyze and optimize materials down to the last detail and develop innovative, biofunctional solutions. Our services range from material characterization and active ingredient screening to the development of sustainable and highly specialized products. Through close cooperation with industrial partners, we integrate cutting-edge research with practical applications, delivering tangible value for our customers.

How do you assess the trend toward increased use of sustainable materials in the oral care sector?

The shift toward more sustainable materials in the oral care sector is an important step in combining ecological responsibility with effective dental care. However, it is essential that these materials are not only sustainable, but also functional and safe, ensuring a reliable and sustainable value chain. We have already collaborated with well-known industry partners on projects in this field, including the development of bio-based polymers and innovative solutions such as probiotics for oral care. Another exciting area is personalized oral care, where we are working on approaches that allow products to be tailored to individual needs. By integrating ecological and functional requirements, we contribute to future-ready innovations in the industry.

What are you looking forward to in the new year, and what will be a particular challenge in 2025?

I am particularly excited about the commissioning of our new high-performance mass spectrometer, which will arrive in January and elevate our protein analysis capabilities to a new level. This state-of-the-art instrument will allow us to further expand our expertise, benefiting not only our research, but also our partners and customers. The first few weeks will be especially eventful, from staff training and completing the laboratory setup to acquiring new projects – there is much to be done. A key challenge in 2025 will be the current landscape of public funding. Securing funding for new projects through public programs is becoming increasingly difficult, making it essential to develop innovative approaches and build strategic partnerships to maintain our success.