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The
Biomaterials developer

I have been working with plastics, bioplastics and biocomposites for more than 20 years.

Using cherished everyday objects for decades – that, too, is sustainability in practice. One example: the "Snap T" fleece pullover, which has hardly aged in around 40 years – unlike its wearer.

The photomontage shows both: the sweater and the person wearing it – once today, once at Christmas 1985. A textile with a history.

 

Since 2010, I have been a professor of renewable resources at Bingen University of Applied Sciences in the beautiful Rhine Valley. The German system of such universities, with its focus on application-oriented teaching and research, is – in my opinion – fundamentally unparalleled and the right approach given the practical challenges of the future.
 
I teach in our Master's program "Master of Environmental Sustainability" and its German counterpart, "Master of Environmental Protection." My research focuses on biocomposites, particularly those with bio-based thermosets and hemp fibers.
 
I have been working at the Institute for Renewable Energies in Bingen, the Transferstelle Bingen (TSB), since 2010. I have been Scientific Director since 2015 and Managing Director since 2019. Having one foot in the materials world and the other in the energy world enabled me to develop a comprehensive perspective on sustainability.
 
I've been fortunate enough to meet literally "masses" of inspiring people striving for a more sustainable world through their work. Every day, I'm grateful for this abundance—students passionate about environmental protection, engineers who work daily to improve things.
 
In any case, all these fantastic people I have met in my life are my true capital!
Eight years in the composites industry (2002–2009) shaped me. Once again, through the people I was fortunate enough to meet, but also through the enormous versatility and performance of composites, which—at least for me—represent the brighter side of the plastics world.
 
As a professor and speaker, I have a certain penchant for infotainment. If your audience is asleep, you won't reach them. With that in mind, welcome to my website.
 
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Prof. Dr. Oliver Türk Horrweiler

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  • Professional Career

  • 1988–1993: Studied Chemistry at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern

  • 1993: Diploma in Chemistry (Physical Chemistry)

  • 1994–1998: Doctoral thesis on structure–property relationships in liquid crystals (summa cum laude)

  • 1999–2002: Development Chemist at Naturin GmbH & Co. KG

  • 2002–2007: Head of Compound Development, Polynt GmbH

  • 2007–2009: Global Head of Marketing and Head of Compound Development, Polynt S.p.A.

  • 2009: Head of Development, Quality Assurance, Marketing and Sales (Compounds), Polynt GmbH

  • Since 2010: Professor at Bingen University of Applied Sciences

  • 2011–2015: Deputy Scientific Director of the Transfer Office Bingen

  • Since 2015: Scientific Director of the Transfer Office Bingen

  • 2019–2025: Managing Director of the Institute for Innovation, Transfer and Consulting gGmbH

Lehrveranstaltungen

  • Biogene Materialien – stoffliche Nutzung nachwachsender Rohstoffe (SNAR)

  • Umweltwirkung von Kunststoffen (KUUW)

  • Energetische Nutzung nachwachsender Rohstoffe (ENAR)

  • Renewable Materials (REMA)

  • Alternative Antriebe – nachhaltige Mobilität (ALTA)

  • Stoffstrommanagement (SSMA)

  • Thermodynamik (TEDY)

  • Weiße Biotechnologie (WBIO)
     

Preise und Auszeichnungen

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  • 1994: Steinhofer-Preis der TU Kaiserslautern für das beste Diplom in Chemie (2. Preis)

  • 2006: Innovationspreis der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Verstärkte Kunststoffe (AVK) für das innovativste Produkt des Jahres

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Forschungsprojekte an der TH Bingen

(www.th-bingen.de/forschung/biogene-werkstatt)

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  • LignoLight: Thermoplastische Lignin-Compounds für den Leichtbau

  • HIPSTER: Biogene Hochleistungsverbundwerkstoffe für Strukturbauteile in der Automobilindustrie

  • Anwenderzentrum Biogene Werkstoffe: Förderung der Nutzung nachwachsender Rohstoffe in praktischen Anwendungen

  • HIKE: Herstellung von Intermediaten für die Kunststoffindustrie

  • Abutilon: Entwicklung von Faserverbundwerkstoffen aus heimischen Rohstoffen

  • BioDuroZell: Ersatz fossiler Bindemittel durch biogene Binder

  • BioCure: Entwicklung biogener Härter für Epoxidharze

  • Biogener Flammschutz: Verbundwerkstoffe mit biogenen Flammschutzmitteln

  • Biogene Hochleistungsverbundwerkstoffe: Verwendung von Hanfbastfasern in Verbundwerkstoffen

  • Biogenes Tablett: Entwicklung eines Tabletts aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen

  • Netzwerk Elektromobilität: Förderung der Elektromobilität in Rheinland-Pfalz

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