Young researchers in action: Chemistry Olympiad as a guest at Alzchem

Twenty chemistry enthusiasts from all over Bavaria were guests at the Trostberg Chemical Park as part of the 56th International Chemistry Olympiad from April 15-18, 2024. At the invitation of the Alzchem Group and BASF Construction Additives, the young Olympians came together at the so-called "Bavarian State Seminar" to experience chemistry at a high level. They were not only able to quench their thirst for knowledge of chemical theory and practice, but also get to know the two companies and their products and employees.

An exciting program awaited the talented students on the seminar days: lectures on the basics of chemistry, plant tours through the Alzchem site in Trostberg and the BASF Competence Center as well as a day full of experiments in the training laboratory were rounded off by fire extinguishing exercises and specialist lectures, for example on the dietary supplement creatine or on construction chemicals.

Alzchem Group CEO Andreas Niedermaier was delighted to be able to actively support the next generation of chemists with the event: "It's great that you, dear chemistry Olympians, have chosen the path of "researchers and inventors". It is good to know that you are full of curiosity, drive and energy on your way to perhaps future-oriented discoveries. I have great respect for your enthusiasm for chemistry and I hope we have made a contribution to further enhancing it."

He also thanked Mr. Kwam Walton, on behalf of the VCI Bavaria, for his support for youth and young talent work. The chemical association, which co-financed the event, is strongly committed to attracting trained specialists to the chemical industry.

The "traditional" Experimental Lecture took place on April 17, 2024. This year Jonathan Tietze and Alexander Gisnapp gave a lecture and conducted experiments on the topic of "Experimental foray through the fascinating world of chemistry".

At the subsequent certificate ceremony, all participants were honored for their achievements. As a gift, they were able to take home the "Basic Book of Organic Chemistry" by Carsten Schmuck. Peter Eder, Managing Director of BASF Construction Additives GmbH, also attended the festive evening and concluded by wishing the young students a safe journey home and continued interest and curiosity in the subject of chemistry. 

Getting the next generation interested in science

The annual selection competition for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is organized in Germany by the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) in Kiel on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and in cooperation with the Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs of the federal states. Over the course of several selection rounds, questions relating to the theory and practice of chemistry are addressed in various formats. The four national winners are allowed to compete as a national team in the international round, which is taking place this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Every year, the Trostberg Chemical Park is a committed host and organizer of numerous events, plant tours, internships, trial apprenticeships and project days with practical exercises in the training laboratory and training workshops. The Trostberg Chemical Park is an important training location in the district of Traunstein and, with currently 130 trainees, is regularly on the lookout for well-trained and performance-oriented employees, and not just for research. 

Information on training at Alzchem can be found at www.alzchem.com/de/karriere/.