The German Chemical Society (GDCh) has elected Dr. Ruth Bieringer, Vice President Technology & Innovation - Material Technology at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, as President. Her two-year term begins on January 1, 2026, succeeding Professor Stefanie Dehnen (KIT). The election was made by the GDCh Board of Directors on October 1, 2025.
Focus on science-based dialog and political classification
Bieringer wants to intensify the exchange between science, politics and other stakeholders. She emphasizes the importance of reliable scientific findings for political decisions and believes that chemists have a responsibility to contribute to solving global challenges. She is supported on the Executive Committee by Dr. Carla Seidel (BASF SE) and Dr. Susanne Rehn-Taube (Deutsches Museum). Other members are Dr. Franz von Nussbaum as Treasurer and Stefanie Dehnen as Immediate Past President.
Professional background and commitment
The polymer chemist studied in Mainz and Bayreuth and has held various research and development positions at Freudenberg since 1999. She has been responsible for materials technology there since 2020. She also teaches materials science at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences and is involved in specialist associations such as the DKG, VDA and DIK. At the GDCh, she heads the PFAS think tank and chairs the advisory board of the Dr. Hermann Schnell Foundation. In 2024, she was awarded the Meyer-Galow Prize for Industrial Chemistry.