The Lenzing Young Scientist Award recognizes outstanding scientific work by young researchers in the field of fiber and textile research.

This price is awarded annually and provides young scientists the opportunity to present their innovations and research on an international stage.
Bachelor’s and Master’s students can submit their scientific work in the categories “Fashion and Circular Economy”, “Alternative Raw Materials” and “Textile Recycling” as well as in the field of “New Fiber Technologies” and face a jury of renowned experts from the industry.
This year, the Lenzing Young Scientist Award in the category of “New Fiber Technologies” was presented to Ms. Carolin König (Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology, TU Dresden) at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC). Her master’s thesis, titled “Development of an environmentally friendly and sustainable solvent wet spinning process for the production of pure chitin fibers based on ionic liquids”, demonstrated strong innovation and set an important precedent for sustainable fiber production using ionic liquids.

Markus Damm (left) (proionic) and Irina Kuznik (right) (TU Dresden) are proud that Carolin König (middle) (TU Dresden) was awarded this years Lenzing Young Scientist Award.

Dr. Markus Damm, Head of R&D

“Imidazolium-based Ionic liquids are known as efficient and recyclable solvents for diverse processes utilizing cellulose or cotton as raw material. I personally think that chitin as raw material is also very promising since it is even harder to dissolve chitin compared to cellulose and the products generated are higher in value. We are very thankful for all the successful work performed at the ITM and that the work was acknowledged by the jury around the Lenzing Young Scientist Award.”