Covestro CTO Klaus Schäfer Appointed to German National Hydrogen Council

The German Federal Government has appointed Covestro Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Dr. Klaus Schäfer to the National Hydrogen Council. He represents the chemical industry in Germany as an expert. For the chemical industry and Covestro, hydrogen is an important building block on the path towards climate neutrality and development towards a circular economy. The German chemical industry had mapped out the industry's path to CO₂ neutrality in its Roadmap 2050. The production and use of climate-friendly hydrogen for the production of chemical products plays a very important role in this strategy.

Covestro is also pursuing the goal of bringing itself into complete alignment with the circular economy. Hydrogen plays major importance here as well, both as an energy carrier and as an alternative raw material.

[caption id="attachment_104668" align="aligncenter"] Dr. Klaus Schäfer[/caption]

Covestro, one of the world's largest materials manufacturers, has been an innovation leader in electrochemistry for decades, producing important raw materials for plastic production. The company is promoting the development of technologies for the use of hydrogen in industrial production and is involved in developing storage and transport solutions for the creation of hydrogen infrastructure. Dr. Schäfer states, "The chemical industry is showing great interest in supporting the energy transition with its expertise and ideas. I am very pleased to be able to contribute the expertise of our industry to ensure that Germany and Europe remain at the forefront when it comes to hydrogen. " Dr. Schäfer, who holds a doctorate in physics, sees openness to technology and a comprehensive analysis of hydrogen production and usage potential as fundamental to achieving this goal. Related questions such as the necessary expansion of renewable energies must also play a role in this process. The German National Hydrogen Council was established as part of the National Hydrogen Strategy adopted by the German Federal Cabinet in June 2020. In addition to other experts, a total of 26 experts come from research, industry and transport sectors. They will develop action proposals and recommendations for the implementation and further development of Germany's hydrogen strategy. In addition to his new role on the German National Hydrogen Council, Dr. Schäfer is Chairman of the Energy, Climate Protection and Raw Materials Committee of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), President of DECHEMA Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Association, and a member of the NRW VCI Management Board. At Covestro, as a member of the Management Board, he is responsible for production and technology and all chemical production facilities worldwide.