Welcome to the Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry

This building is named after Hermann Staudinger who from 1926 to 1956 carried out his pioneering research on macromolecules in Freiburg. In 1953, Herman Staudinger was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his seminal contributions to proof existence of macromolecules. (click here for the Noble Lecture)

His theories on the structure of polymers and polymer fibers, and his investigations of biological macromolecules later on in his career formed the basis for countless modern developments in material sciences and biological sciences and laid the foundation for the rapid growth of the plastic industry.

1920

Hermann Staudinger develops the hypothesis of “very large molecules”

1926

Staudinger follows a call to the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg.

1940

The Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry is founded as part of the Institute of Organic Chemistry.

1950

The Macromolecular Colloquium is held for the first time.

1951

Staudinger retires and the institute is spun off from the university as a “State Research Institute”. Staudinger heads the institute until 1956.

1953

Staudinger receives the Nobel Prize for Chemistry (laudatory speech and Nobel Lecture).

1956

The Institute is reintegrated into the University as an independent Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry.
The first director is Elfriede Husemann.

1962

The Institute moves into Stefan-Meier-Straße 31.

1965

A second professorship is created at the Institute. The first holder is Hans-Joachim Cantow.

1974

Gerhard Wegner replaces Elfriede Husemann.

1983

Heino Finkelmann succeeds Gerhard Wegner, who becomes Director at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz.

1989

Rolf Mülhaupt succeeds Hans-Joachim Cantow.

1990

The Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF) is founded.

1998

The institute building at Stefan-Meier-Straße 31 is reoccupied after a general refurbishment.

1999

The Institute is honored by the German Chemical Society (GDCh) and the American Chemical Society (ACS) with the title “International Historical Milestone in Chemistry”.

2010

Prasad Shastri succeeds Heino Finkelmann.

2016

A third professorship is created at the Institute. The first holder is Andreas Walther.

2020

Rolf Mülhaupt is retiring.

Andreas Walther accepts the call for a professorship at the University of Mainz and leaves the University of Freiburg.

2022

Laura Hartmann accepts the call for the new professorship for Active Soft Matter.

2024

Stefan Naumann accepts the call for the professorship for Macromolecular Chemistry.

Stephan Schmidt accepts the call for the new professorship for Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules.