23 Jul 2026

Clariant and TUM Celebrate a Decade of Catalysis Excellence

Two world-renowned scientists honored with the Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award
Partnership renewed for three additional years, building on 16 years of collaboration

MUTTENZ, July 23, 2026 - Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, today celebrated a significant milestone at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) with the dual 10th anniversary of the TUM Catalysis Research Center (CRC) and the Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award for Catalysis Research. The ceremony honored two outstanding scientists whose contributions are shaping the future of catalysis and sustainable chemistry.

Clariant CEO Conrad Keijzer commented: “Reaching the 10th anniversary of both the TUM Catalysis Research Center and the Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award is a truly proud moment for everyone at Clariant. This partnership is far more than a sponsorship — for us, the collaboration with TUM and the Catalysis Research Center forms the basis for numerous innovations and for attracting exceptional young talents.”

A Lasting Legacy in Catalysis Science

The Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award was established in memory of Dr. Karl Wamsler, a prominent figure in post-war German chemistry and former board member, CEO, and Chairman of Süd-Chemie. Recognized with an Honorary Senator title from TUM in 2015, Dr. Wamsler held a lifelong conviction that knowledge has the power to change the world. Since 2017, Clariant has sponsored the award with an annual investment of €50,000, reaffirming its commitment to advancing fundamental and applied catalysis research.

2025 Laureate: Professor Tao Zhang

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 is honored “for his pioneering research on single-atom catalysis” — a concept he introduced in 2011 that has since transformed the field. His work was further recognized globally with the Clarivate Citation Laureate distinction in 2025.

2026 Laureate: Professor Frances H. Arnold

The 2026 Award was conferred upon Professor Frances H. Arnold of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2018. Professor Arnold is recognized “for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of biocatalysis”, having pioneered the directed evolution of enzymes — an approach enabling the engineering of proteins with entirely new and highly efficient functions.

A Renewed Partnership with TUM

The Clariant Foundation recently signed a contract extension with TUM for an additional three years, continuing a collaboration that stretches back to 2010 through the MuniCat initiative.

Reader enquiries

Clariant International Ltd
Rothausstrasse 61
4132 Muttenz 1
Switzerland

ClariantInternational

clariant_international

Notes for editors

www.clariant.com

Clariant is a focused specialty chemical company led by the overarching purpose of “Greater chemistry – between people and planet.” By connecting customer focus, innovation, and people, the company creates solutions to foster sustainability in different industries. On 31 December 2025, Clariant totaled a staff number of 10 281 and recorded sales of CHF 3.915 billion in the fiscal year. Since January 2023, the Group conducts its business through the three Business Units Care Chemicals, Catalysts, and Adsorbents & Additives. Clariant is based in Switzerland.

www.clariant.com/catalysts

Building on a 165-year history, Clariant Catalysts is a global and independent manufacturer of energy-efficient catalyst technologies shaping a sustainable future for the chemical industry. We create greater chemistry – between people and planet – by helping to decarbonize our customers’ production processes and scaling up the transition toward zero-emission chemicals and fuels. Through our exceptional R&D and established expertise, our broad portfolio of catalysts and adsorbents provides innovative solutions that range from the oil and gas to the plastic sectors. With more than 2 000 employees at 31 locations, our high-performing teams collaborate with partners and customers across our global footprint.

This media release may be accessible from various countries around the world and hence it may contain statements or product classifications not applicable to your country. Statements contained herein may not be applicable to products regulated by the US FDA or Health Canada.

This information corresponds to the present state of our knowledge and is intended as a general description of our products and their possible applications. Any user of this product is responsible for determining the suitability of Clariant´s products for its particular application.

NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY IS MADE OF THE MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE OF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE.

Related images

From left to right: Susanne Wamsler (Member of the Board of Directors at Clariant), Professor Tao Zhang (Award winner 2025), Professor Frances H. Arnold (Award winner 2026), Conrad Keijzer (CEO Clariant), Professor Thomas Hofmann (President TUM). © Clariant

CLAPR2030a