We are thrilled to announce that Antje Potthast, one of our key researchers, has won the 2026 Anselme Payen Award!
Named after the distinguished French scientist who discovered cellulose, the award is a highly prestigious accolade for international scientists conducting research in the field of cellulose. Awarded by the American Chemical Society Cellulose and Renewable Materials (CELL) Division, it honours and encourages outstanding professional contributions to the science and chemical technology of cellulose and its allied products.
The jury honors Prof. Potthast for seminal advances in cellulose and lignin chemistry, developing analytical tools, ranging from molecular‑weight–resolved oxidative damage profiling to cellulose functionalization models, that closed critical knowledge gaps and enable precise tailoring from substrate to product. This is also an essential part of Prof. Potthast’s work as one of the lead researchers of Program 1: Green Cycles of Renewable Materials at the Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering.
Congratulations!