Professor Dr Günter Reich dies aged 98
Professor Dr Günter Reich, one of the leading figures in international leather science and a key figure in the development of FILK, has died at the age of 98.
Born in Saxony in 1928, Reich began his career in the leather industry after the Second World War, training as a tanner before studying chemistry at the Technical University of Dresden. He joined the German Leather Institute in Freiberg in 1956 as head of research and deputy director, becoming its head in 1967.
During his leadership, research at the institute expanded across tanning chemistry, leather technology, collagen, synthetic tanning agents and polyurethane-based synthetic leathers. His scientific work combined fundamental research with industrial application, including research into the relationship between chemical structure and the tanning properties of aromatic synthetic tanning agents.
Dr Reich also played a significant role in securing the future of FILK following German reunification. As the institute faced the loss of clients and its former state-owned structure, he helped develop the scientific, economic and organisational framework that led to its establishment as an independent, non-profit research institution. The supporting association that was founded in 1992 remains FILK's sole shareholder.
Dr Reich retired from the institute's leadership at the end of 1992/early 1993 but remained active in leather science as an author, speaker, consultant and mentor. His scientific output included around 200 publications and papers, eight monographs and 52 patents. He also initiated the Freiberg Collagen Symposium in 1996.
Among numerous honours, Reich received the Stiasny Medal from the VGCT and the IULTCS Merit Award in 2013. His contribution to leather science and to the development of FILK will be remembered by the international leather research community.
