The new large-scale research institution Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) is in its third year of development and is already making a name for itself. Scientist Dr. Manuel Häußler, who joined the CTC last year as its first group leader, has now moved from Konstanz to Leipzig with his start-up aevoloop. Häußler and his team are developing sustainable and fully recyclable plastics. The proximity to the CTC as a research and cooperation partner was a decisive factor in the relocation.
The move is now complete. With a team of 16, Manuel Häußler has been conducting research in rented laboratories in Leipzig since this spring. Nine employees have moved from Konstanz to Saxony especially for this purpose, five new colleagues come directly from the region, and two more work remotely – and all of them have joined aevoloop, a promising deep tech start-up. Prof. Peter Seeberger, founding director of the CTC, is delighted with this development: “aevoloop is not only a perfect fit for the CTC in terms of its research focus, but also in terms of its background: one of our goals at the CTC is to train ‘sciencepreneurs’. These are young researchers who want to put their theoretical ideas into practice later on and learn an entrepreneurial mindset in addition to their scientific skills. Our transfer concept is designed to promote precisely this approach. The fact that aevoloop is now successfully being established here in the region is a prime example of how the CTC not only attracts ambitious researchers to the region, but also creates jobs.” Initial joint projects between aevoloop and CTC are already underway, including in collaboration with other regional partners from science and industry.
Ideal environment for cooperation between science and industry
Manuel Häußler got to know Leipzig and the surrounding area last year already, when he took part in a science challenge organized by SPRIND, the German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovations: “We worked closely with Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Köthen and also sought contact with the CTC. The fact that structures for sustainable chemical research and its transfer into practical application are emerging here in central Germany is ideal for a start-up like aevoloop,” says Häußler. The start-up is currently in talks with regional industry partners to jointly develop a new, fully recyclable plastic based on recycled and renewable raw materials. A pilot plant for this is to be built in Saxony in the future.
Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer is also delighted with this development and emphasizes: “The establishment of the young start-up aevoloop here in Saxony is another sign of a new beginning. The decision also highlights the great appeal and influence that the new large-scale research center already has far beyond the region. This will enable us to make further progress in structural change. The entire economic and scientific location of Saxony will benefit. Excellent research at the CTC will create new attractive jobs in the region.”
Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow welcomed the aevoloop team on site and added: “With settlements such as aevoloop, it is clear what is at stake: putting research into practice and thus becoming a magnet for innovative companies and business models in the region. This creates entirely new, resilient economic structures that enable growth. aevoloop is investing in the future and will be there from the start when the CTC is developed into a large-scale research center in the coming years.”
About the CTC
The vision of the Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) is a circular chemistry in which the resources used come from renewable raw materials and recycling and can be reused at the end of their life cycle. The products and industries addressed range from health to energy, fertilizers, and consumer goods. To establish a sustainable chemistry, the CTC is working in a transdisciplinary approach with partners from science, industry, and society. At the CTC, the transfer of scientific knowledge is structurally anchored. This is creating a new center of excellence in Central Germany, with experts from the region and around the world. The CTC is being established at two locations, Delitzsch (Saxony) and Merseburg (Saxony-Anhalt), and is expected to grow to 1,000 employees by 2038. More than fifty people are currently working at the CTC, for the time being from interim offices in Leuna and Delitzsch.
About aevoloop:
aevoloop is developing the next generation of recyclable plastics. Founded in 2024, the deep tech spin-off from the University of Konstanz combines energy-efficient upcycling technology that converts mixed polyolefin waste into high-quality long-chain dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) with the production of fully recyclable “planet-proof plastics.” These plastics deliver the performance of conventional polyolefins – from packaging to high-performance components – and can be chemically or enzymatically converted back into their original building blocks. Funded by state, federal, and EU grants, as well as venture capital, the 16-strong team in Leipzig—at the heart of Germany’s chemical triangle—is pushing ahead with scaling up its recycling and manufacturing processes. The aim is to replace fossil-based plastics without a “green premium” and to significantly advance the circular economy in the plastics market.
