Honorary membership is the highest distinction awarded by DECHEMA, the Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Klaus Schäfer received this honor on September 17, 2026, as part of the society’s 100th anniversary celebrations.
Schäfer served on the DECHEMA Executive Board for eight years and chaired it from January 2019 through December 2024. A key focus of his tenure was interdisciplinary exchange. This included, in particular, dialogue between experts from various disciplines as well as between academia and industry.
Exchange Between Science and Industry
Schäfer views platforms for discussion and professional exchange as a central mission of DECHEMA. They are intended to connect science and industry, as well as users and technology providers.
After studying physics in Cologne and earning his doctorate, Schäfer began his professional career at Erdölchemie and BP. In 2001, he joined the Bayer Group, where he headed production and engineering in the Polyurethanes segment and served as country representative for Bayer Material Science in China.
Many years of experience in the chemical industry
Schäfer later took over as CEO of Currenta. The company operates chemical park sites in Dormagen, Krefeld-Uerdingen, and Leverkusen. From 2015 to 2023, Schäfer served on Covestro’s Executive Board as Chief Technology Officer. In this role, he was responsible for production, engineering, and the company’s manufacturing sites.