For Contribution to Sustainable Chemistry:

Long-standing ISC3 Director Prof Kümmerer Receives Honorary Doctorate

University of Ghent Honours Renowned Scientist

A special honour for Professor Klaus Kümmerer: the University of Ghent has awarded the renowned scientist from Leuphana University Lüneburg and long-standing Director of the Research & Education Hub of the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) an honorary doctorate. Prof Kümmerer received the award for his contribution to Sustainable Chemistry and green and sustainable pharmacy, especially in the field of pharmaceutical science and his contribution to the development of more environmentally friendly medicines.

"We are pleased, proud, and grateful for the collaboration with Prof. Kümmerer, one of the most renowned scientists and globally recognised experts in Sustainable Chemistry and pharmacy. The honorary doctorate is the well-deserved result of his relentless scientific commitment to one of the most important topics of the future. On behalf of the entire ISC3 team, I offer my heartfelt congratulations,"

says ISC3 Managing Director Dr Thomas Wanner.

"Klaus Kümmerer is one of the most important minds in Sustainable Chemistry worldwide – also when it comes to encouraging young people and promoting innovative ideas."

Professor Kuemmerer receiving the prize. — Professor Klaus Kümmerer (on the right) receives an honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent.

group picture of three men and two women all in ceremonial robes — Professor Klaus Kümmerer (in the middle) receives an honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent.

Professor Kuemmerer on his way to the stage — Professor Klaus Kümmerer receives an honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent.

Prof Kümmerer is recognised worldwide as a leader in the promotion of Sustainable Chemistry and pharmacy and has done important work on the environmental behaviour of pharmaceuticals and the "Benign by Design“, according to the citation from the University of Ghent.

"A clever person solves a problem; a wise person avoids it,“

said Prof Evelien Wynendaele (Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis) and Prof Serge Van Calenbergh (Department of Pharmaceutics) in their laudatory speech, quoting Albert Einstein. Inspired by this, the concept pursues the goal of developing drugs that are effective and long-lasting in the body, but which quickly decompose into biologically inert substances after being eliminated in order to minimise the environmental impact:

"Prof. Kümmerer, thanks to your tireless commitment, you have not only enriched our field, but also made a significant contribution to a more sustainable society. Your work points the way to more environmentally friendly practices in the pharmaceutical sciences – a path that we will follow with dedication and continue to develop within our faculty.“

"I feel very honoured, but I am particularly pleased because Sustainable Chemistry and now also Green and Sustainable Pharmacy as a very comprehensive approach is thus receiving even more attention in education, industry, politics, authorities, and the public,“

says Prof. Kümmerer.

"Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy are indispensable for developing the processes and products we need for a sustainable world and a functioning circular economy.“

He was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon in 2024 for the Benign-by-Design approach he developed, his decades of research achievements, the promotion of young talent in the field of Sustainable Chemistry and his commitment to raising public awareness of a sustainable future, which he has also been involved in on many national and international committees for many years. Prof Kümmerer has also received several awards in science, including the Wöhler Prize for Sustainable Chemistry from the German Chemical Society (GDCh) in 2023.

As Director of the Research & Education Hub of the ISC3, he promoted sustainable approaches in research and academic education in Sustainable Chemistry from 2017-2024. In close cooperation between International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) and Leuphana Professional School, he developed two globally unique part-time online degree programmes Sustainable Chemistry (Master of Science) and Sustainable Chemistry Management (Master of Business Administration). Prof Kümmerer is one of the most frequently cited German environmental scientists and is ranked 16th among the top scientists in environmental science worldwide in the international Stanford Ranking (2023).