Thomas Zimmermann has been the new group leader of the “Crosslinked Materials” research group in the MCE (Material, Compounding, Extrusion) department at the SKZ Plastics Center since March 1, 2025.

After completing his master’s degree in chemistry at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, he embarked on a doctorate at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg. He is in the process of completing his doctorate, which includes innovative coatings for solar cells (anti-reflective and anti-soiling), coatings that trap fine dust and suprabeads, novel particle carrier systems for catalysis and as indicators.

Comprehensive services for the plastics industry
The group will be expanded to three employees by June 2025 and will focus on thermosets, elastomers and their synthesis and sustainability, offering both industry-related research and practice-oriented services for companies.

The group’s research projects focus on material and process development in the field of cross-linked materials. Another focus is the application for publicly funded research projects. In the future, the topics of recycling, renewable raw materials and battery materials in the field of thermosets and elastomers will be further expanded.

“I am very much looking forward to the new tasks and the opportunity to further develop the cross-linked materials research group with my team,” says Thomas Zimmermann. “We will focus intensively on the synthesis and sustainable use of thermosets and elastomers and further expand the bridge between basic research and industry-related knowledge exchange.”

“We are delighted to have Thomas Zimmermann, someone with a wealth of experience and expertise, to fill the position of Group Head,” says Dr. Johannes Rudloff, Head of Materials, Compounding and Extrusion. “A strong focus of the group is on the further development of technologies that are highly relevant to the industry and we are always happy to receive inquiries.”

Cross-linked plastics are more present than you think
Due to new technical challenges in areas such as electromobility, renewable energies, electrical engineering and medical technology, the development of cross-linked plastics with precisely adapted property profiles is increasingly coming into focus. For example, increasing requirements for weight reduction in the context of the CO2 debate, particularly in the automotive sector, are increasingly leading to the substitution of thermoplastic materials and metals with inexpensive and temperature-resistant thermosets.

The SKZ is researching how thermoset materials can become more sustainable together with partners from industry in the BioDurInject project. The aim of the project is to develop bio-based thermoset molding compounds.

Elastomer applications such as seals and tires, fiber composite materials and many coatings are classic examples of how present cross-linked plastics are. But elastomers are also used in almost all areas of everyday life, are indispensable and are a highly innovative material.

Further information on the Materials research area