"As long as I don't have to work in sales!" That was Dr. Sylvia Lucht's one condition when she joined ORAFOL's Research & Development (R&D) department in 2002. Today, as Executive Vice President EMEAI & Material Solutions, she is responsible for the strategic sales activities of ORAFOL's Graphic Solutions, Reflective Solutions and Functional Films business units. At first glance, that may seem like an unlikely career path. On closer inspection, however, it illustrates how careers in industry rarely follow a straight line for scientists—and how many opportunities emerge for those willing to embrace change.
Industry-Focused Research: Close to the Market, Deep in the Science
How ORAFOL transforms scientific expertise into market-ready solutions – and why modern product development extends far beyond the laboratory.
DR. SYLVIA LUCHT BUILDS A BRIDGE AT ORAFOL BETWEEN SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE AND MARKET REQUIREMENTS.
IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS, IMPULSES FOR MARKET-READY SOLUTIONS EMERGE.
Dr. Lucht studied Mathematics and Physics with the intention of becoming a teacher before earning her PhD in Physics. She has spent many years working at the interface between science and practical application and knows from experience that "our product developers need to stay very close to the market." At ORAFOL—as in industry in general—the job does not end once an experiment succeeds in the laboratory. A new development must also perform in manufacturing, sales and real-world application. That, for Dr. Lucht, is what industry-focused research is all about: translating scientific excellence into practical solutions. R&D turns knowledge into market-ready products that are technically convincing, economically viable and, above all, solve real customer problems.
"At university, you learn to solve problems on your own. In industry, you need to look beyond your own discipline and collaborate with others to find the best solution."
Dr. Sylvia Lucht, Executive Vice President EMEAI & Material Solutions
A LOOK INTO THE PRODUCTION OF SOLAR PROTECTION FILMS.
From Laboratory Sample to Market-Ready Film
Dr. Dominik Badetko demonstrates what this looks like in practice. The chemist has been with ORAFOL for just over two years and plays a key role in developing ORAGUARD®; HelioShield solar protection films. Every project begins with a series of questions: How can solar radiation be reduced without significantly limiting visibility? How can the film's durability be ensured? And perhaps most importantly, how can premium performance be achieved at a competitive price?
DR. DOMINIK BADETKO DEVELOPS ORAFOL‘S SOLAR PROTECTION FILMS.
Dr. Badetko's work starts at the laboratory bench, where small-scale samples are produced. Once a formulation has proven successful, the real challenge begins: scaling it up for industrial production. An A4-sized laboratory sample must become a product that can be manufactured consistently across two-metre-wide rolls—metre after metre, roll after roll. At this stage, scientific expertise alone is no longer enough. R&D, process engineering, production and quality assurance work hand in hand, testing samples, refining parameters and continuously improving the manufacturing process. "Our developers are constantly working with colleagues from other departments," says Dr. Badetko. "In many ways, we act as the interface between them." A successful product must satisfy not only the end customer but also the professionals who install it. Can it be cut precisely? Rolled efficiently? Applied without bubbles?
INNOVATIONS ARE NOT CREATED IN THE LAB ALONE.
Technical Expertise is the Foundation—But Not the Whole Story
For developers like Dr. Badetko, scientific knowledge is only the starting point. At ORAFOL, scientists manage projects, work with suppliers, evaluate materials and keep an eye on costs. Perhaps even more importantly, they must be able to explain complex scientific and technical concepts in ways that colleagues in manufacturing, communications and sales can understand. When preparing a new product for market, Dr. Badetko works closely with the sales organisation to determine which product features and customer benefits should take centre stage. This collaboration extends far beyond ORAFOL's headquarters in Oranienburg to subsidiaries around the world. He sums up the breadth of his role this way: "At university, I gained in-depth technical knowledge. In product development, however, I need much more than that. Curiosity, a willingness to learn, structured thinking—and the ability to ask the right questions—are essential."
"Nobody expects complete technical expertise from day one. Curiosity, a willingness to learn, structured thinking—and the ability to ask the right questions—are what really matter."
Dr. Dominik Badetko, R&D Scientist Graphic Solutions
ORAFOL OPENS ITS DOORS TO STUDENTS, GIVING THEM AN EARLY INSIGHT INTO THE INDUSTRY.
Looking Beyond One's Own Discipline
For this reason, ORAFOL actively engages with universities. The company welcomes students, offers internships and master's thesis opportunities, and provides insights into career paths within an industrial environment. "If companies don't get involved in this way," says Dr. Lucht, "they shouldn't complain about a shortage of qualified young professionals." At the same time, she emphasises that universities must preserve their independent mission. "Research needs academic freedom. At the same time, anyone planning a career in industry should experience how an idea becomes a product—with all the technical, commercial and human challenges that entails." For Dr. Lucht, this also brings her own career full circle. She once planned to become a teacher, moved into research, joined ORAFOL in product development and ultimately transitioned into sales. The common thread has remained unchanged: making knowledge accessible, bringing people together and driving solutions forward. "In the end," she says, "you are holding a tangible product in your hands—the solution to a real problem."
"Research and teaching must be industry-oriented"
According to Dr. Sylvia Lucht, that ability is exactly what matters most. In an industry advisory report prepared for the University of Potsdam's Master's programme in Physics, she outlined the competencies today's graduates need. Her conclusion: Technical excellence remains the foundation. Increasingly important, however, is understanding research as part of an entire value creation process.
