Dr Tobias Sontheimer
(HZB)

Dr Tobias Sontheimer

Tobias is the head of Strategy Department for Energy and Information at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and co-leader of the CARE-O-SENE project. For the past fifteen years, Tobias has worked in strategy development to reshape the energy sector. At HZB, he is currently driving research and technology development in the field of solar energy and green hydrogen-based technologies.

Position

Head of Strategy Department for Energy and Information at HZB

Co-Lead CARE-O-SENE Project

Company

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin

Areas of Expertise

His profound technological and systemic understanding of the energy sector is key for successful strategy development and project management. He has extensive experience in collaborating with stakeholders in academia, industry, and politics. Previously, Tobias was the Chief Research Manager for the national energy R&D portfolio of the Helmholtz association.

He is very passionate about forming new international innovative partnerships in the energy field that facilitate the transition to a carbon-free sustainable future.

Tobias studied physics at RWTH Aachen University and Harvard University and graduated with a PhD in renewable energy technologies as a scholar of SCHOTT AG.

Such fundamental analyses of the Fischer-Tropsch process – like in the CARE-O-SENE project – are completely new. Therefore, we are optimistic that we will reach our goal by 2025 and the dream of climate-neutral flying will become tangible.
Dr Tobias Sontheimer
Head of Strategy Department for Energy and Information

Dr Dirk Schär
(Sasol Germany)

Dr Dirk Schär

Dirk is responsible for the marketing and sales of Sasol’s high performance Cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts enabling Sasol’s own proven Fischer-Tropsch technology as well as alternative micro-channel and fixed bed technologies. Further to this, he is Co-leader of the CARE-O-SENE catalyst development consortium. 

Dirk is fascinated by developing new markets and cooperating with groundbreaking companies and passionate start-ups specifically in sustainable markets.

Position

Technical Manager Marketing and Sales Catalysts

Co-Lead CARE-O-SENE Project

Company

Sasol Germany GmbH

Areas of Expertise

Dirk has a long track record within Sasol Chemicals in different technical customer support, market development and marketing roles. He gained experience in a wide range of applications including plasticisers, lubricants, latent heat storage materials and homogeneous catalysts. Within all these roles, he demonstrated his high customer orientation and centricity.

Finding sustainable solutions together with his customer was always one of his major goals. This puts Dirk in the perfect position to further develop Sasol’s highly specialised catalyst business and to drive the fuel and chemical industry’s transition into a carbon free future from a catalyst point of view.

Dirk holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Georg-August University of Goettingen, Germany.

"Sasol has a more than 70 years experience in Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and technology. Its time to take the next step to lead the industry into a sustainable and carbon free future with the help of our passion."
Dr Dirk Schär
Cohead Catalyst Development