Chemistry lessons in practice: the Parler-Gymnasium at Umicore

As part of the ‘Encounters between Industry and School’ series organised by Umicore, the chemistry and physics classes of the final year at Parler-Gymnasium now had the opportunity to put some of what they have learned into practice at Umicore. Managing director Michael Herkommer and head of HR Steffen Barth welcomed the students and their teachers last week to an exclusive insight into the long-established global company in Schwaebisch Gmuend.

After a tour of the laboratories and production halls, the students were able to experience the entire process from product development to product plating and have it explained to them. The advanced course quickly realised that electroplating technology serves as a pioneer for a cross-section of technologies – modern communication devices and wearables, electric mobility or even in hydrogen production are just a few examples of how targeted coating can achieve new levels of quality and efficiency. The self-gilded bottle opener, which the students were able to take home as a souvenir, was less technological but very practical.

After the tour, Suvetha Logeswaran, representing Aalen University, provided information about training and study opportunities in surface technology and chemistry. ‘We want to show interested students how they can develop their passion for chemistry and technology and turn it into a career,’ says Barth, explaining the reasons for the series of events. Of course, there is also a certain self-interest, because in the medium term, the aim is also to further strengthen the competence area of surface technology in the Gmuend/Aalen region. At the subsequent lunch in the company canteen, teachers, trainers and students agreed that practical events like this one are needed in the region to attract qualified young people, in order to keep and expand this industry of the future here.