Research and Development

Tradition of material development

With this in mind, the example of opto-ceramics clearly makes one important point: Material development is an area of ­expertise at SCHOTT with a tradition that goes back to the 19th century and remains the foundation from which future innovations will sprout.

What was once characterized solely by empirical procedures with observations and experiments now bares the digital signature of the computer age. ”Today, we use computer-aided mathematic simulations and models. This allows for the characteristics of materials to be determined precisely in advance. It also saves precious research time and expensive laboratory attempts,” says Dr. Rüdiger Sprengard, Director of Materials & Components for Centralized Research. This is also true for new manufacturing processes. Insights obtained while working in front of the computer make the transition to industrial manufacturing much easier. ”The material remains our source of success, however. We maximize its value creation with the help of our ­detailed understanding of our customers’ and development partner’s current and future technological requirements,” Sprengard says.

Manifold areas of expertise

Today, improving products with the help of coating techniques is a core competence of SCHOTT. And, this is of great significance to research. For instance, investigating how coatings on cooktop panels behave when temperatures fluctuate considerably has always been and still is the subject of research. The ­insights have resulted in the development of thermally resistant color coatings for the new generation of Ceran Cleartrans® cooktop panels on the basis of transparent glass ceramics. Researchers also have their sights set on infrared reflective coatings for fireplace viewing panels that result in the most environ­mentally friendly and efficient combustion in heating systems.

The growing trend towards the use of biopharmaceuticals clearly also offers revolutionary possibilities. Here, SCHOTT has developed pharmaceutical packaging that contains entirely unique coatings in order to protect the sensitive ingredients based on proteins. “We’ve clearly developed advanced expertise in this area. In order to come up with the right solution for each individual customer request, we rely on our global network that includes leading coating institutes, our own broad coating know-how based on our patented PICVD (Plasma Impulse Chemical Vapor Deposition) technique, for instance, as well as the scientific skills of our U.S. research site in Duryea,” says Dr. Tobias Kälber, Director of Technology and Product Development on Coatings, Centralized Research. Here, the interaction between biomolecules and surfaces are the main focus of research. Those who work in the pharmaceutical industry are also allowed to use the respective techniques and expertise.

Technical support centers in Asia

Nevertheless, this is not the only area where SCHOTT seeks to take the shortest route to customers, whether internal or external. Technical support centers offer support where research and application cross paths: in Asia, where the business continues to grow for the Group. The facilities in Suzhou, China, and Minakuchi, Japan, are developing networks and contacts to universities, executing local development projects, providing local units with technical applications support and acting as problem solvers very close to customers.

”Japan is an innovation leader in many of our fields and China is also catching up. Because we are present here, we see the direction that things are moving in rather early. Therefore, our contribution towards research topics will continue to grow,” José Zimmer, head of the Application Centers, is convinced. This also applies to scouting around for interesting new technologies, cooperating with science and development partners, as well as recruiting young researchers. Today, SCHOTT already cooperates with more than 150 partners from research institutes, universities and corporations mainly in Europe and the United States. Extending this network to include Asia is now becoming even more important.