Entrants

With this program we orient ourselves to especially curious, dedicated, and flexible young talents with a scientific background. Through various project assignments in the field of innovation at home and abroad, you will be prepared for an exciting specialist or management position after the end of the program.

• Science studies at a university or college of applied sciences
• A PhD or equivalent
• Basic understanding of chemistry
• International experience
• Good knowledge of English
• Entrepreneurial interest
• Communicative, open, curious personality

• Business case: marketing, New Business Development
• Operation topic: R&D, applied technology, product/process engineering
• Strategic topic: knowledge management, innovation models
• Marketing experience: end use, segment, key account
• Personal development: leadership, project management, presentation, communication, conflict management

• Open-ended contract
• Working in a responsible position in the ALTANA Group after the end of the program

Why did you decide to participate in CDDP Innovation?

I worked at ELANTAS’ Hamburg site in Germany while I was doing my doctorate. Since I generally felt very comfortable in the company, I opted to stay at ALTANA. When I was about halfway through my doctorate, I dealt in more depth with career opportunities at ALTANA that would be suitable for me. I was particularly interested in the field of innovation. Innovation does not only mean gauging the potential of a product and developing it classically in R&D, but also successfully bringing it to production. I consider all of these areas to be equally exciting and equally important. Talks with my former manager Jörg Hinnerwisch also pushed me in this direction. He was the first member of CDDPI, starting in 2007, and he explained the program to me in detail. It appealed to me. Of course, the program has constantly changed in organizational terms since its inception, but the basic idea remains the same – working independently and in a team on innovative projects and creating a network within the company in order to foster synergies between the different divisions.

What competencies are particularly important for one to take part in CDDP Innovation?

I think the most important competencies are strong communication skills and openness. During the two years you work with many colleagues from different areas, sites, and cultures. It is not always easy to understand their standpoints and implement them in your own work, but it is essential. Other general prerequisites for the work are of course analytical and entrepreneurial thinking as well as self-motivation.

Which projects have you worked on during your two-year stint?

Since I have come from Technical Chemistry during my time at CDDPI I accompanied a comprehensive project for the introduction of new process technologies. All of my divisional projects tend to revolve around procedural topics. At ACTEGA Terra in Lehrte, Germany, I synthesized new coatings raw materials and worked on a new manufacturing process. At BYK, primarily in Wesel (Germany), I worked on purifying composite materials that are later to be used in food packaging. The project is an important synergy issue and runs across sites and divisions. At ELANTAS I was involved in a global ALTANA X Lean project that included the optimization of manufacturing processes for two of our bestselling products. During the project I was active locally in Ascoli Piceno (Italy) and Hamburg, and I also cooperated closely with our Indian colleagues. During my last stop, at ECKART in Güntersthal (Germany), I am currently working on new dispersion processes to optimize our coating processes.

What was it like moving to a new place every few months?

It was exciting to get to know the different sites and to work with many different colleagues! But I should add that since I have a “permanent” home near Wesel, during my CDDPI time I didn’t really move in the sense of completely moving out of and into new apartments. But you live out of your suitcase for two years, which is packed for three months.

How will your career continue and what are you doing today?

Right now I will be in the CDDPI program for another three months. But we are already in the preparation phase for my next position, which will also have many interfaces with other sites and divisions