Researching and implementing biotechnology industrially is his profession. Combining this with a sustainable perspective is his passion. How this can succeed was illustrated – with a good dose of humor – by Wilfried Blümke in his inaugural lecture at TU Hamburg titled "Industrial Biotechnology and Sustainability: Two Sides of the Same Coin."
Choosing the right raw material
The biotechnologist from the chemical company Evonik placed particular emphasis on the topic of raw materials in his lecture. Using renewable raw materials in product manufacturing is the greatest leverage to release less fossil CO2. This can be achieved if the chemical industry develops new processes that no longer rely on as a raw material. Blümke demonstrated this impressively: “Comparing today’s global carbon cycles with those of the pre-industrial era, they have increased by about 80 percent, primarily due to human activities.” However, Blümke continued, “in my field, biotechnology, fortunately there is a substitute for this, sugar”—or more generally, renewable raw materials. Yet even in their production, the ecological footprint can vary significantly. “Therefore, environmentally friendly production processes also have a strong impact here.”
Appointment certificate as professor
The inaugural lecture included another highlight: TU President Andreas Timm-Giel awarded Dr. Wilfried Blümke the title of Professor in accordance with §17 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act and presented him with the appointment certificate during the event. The laudation was given by Prof. Alexander Penn, Deputy Dean of the School of Process Engineering. The conferral of this title is a special distinction granted only based on outstanding achievements—comparable to those of regularly appointed professors. Candidates often bring a high level of practical expertise and thereby optimally complement teaching. Prof. Blümke has already demonstrated both at TU Hamburg for several years, for example in courses within the Process Engineering study deanery. Furthermore, Blümke is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Collaborative Research Centre "Smart Reactors" at TU Hamburg.
About the speaker
Blümke studied biotechnology at TU Braunschweig and earned his doctorate there. After various positions, including at the GKSS Helmholtz Centre Geesthacht, Wilfried Blümke has been working for the chemical company Evonik (formerly "degussa") since 2002, serving as Head of the Bio- and Environmental Process Engineering Department since 2014. About five years ago, he moved to the "BiotechHub," Evonik’s competence center for industrial biotechnology. It offers everything from concept development to transferring a production process into industrial-scale manufacturing—all from a single source—turning business ideas into entrepreneurial success. In addition, Wilfried Blümke has been a member of the chemical engineering and biotechnology network DECHEMA e.V. since 2006 and has served on the board of the “Bioprocess Engineering” specialist section, or its predecessor organizations, since 2010. He co-led this section as Co-Chair for ten years.
