The Rector of TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Prof. Dr Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, presented the new Honorary Professor of Circular Economy at the Faculty of Economics with his appointment certificate at an EMerald Circular Economy Workshop in July 2023. In his lecture on the topic of "Circular Raw Materials Economy", Dr Volker Steinbach highlighted current challenges in the use and recycling of raw materials that need to be mastered in the course of technological progress, to combat the effects of climate change, and geopolitically.
"Dr Volker Steinbach is an alumnus of the University. We are very pleased to welcome him as an honorary professor. His expertise in raw materials management complements the profile of TU Bergakademie Freiberg and contributes to even stronger networking between the university, business practice and politics," said Rector Prof. Dr Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht on the occasion of the appointment.
"As an internationally renowned raw materials expert, Dr Steinbach makes a valuable contribution to the further targeted profiling of the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the Resources University. As a natural scientist who not only works at the university but also successfully in practice, Dr Steinbach brings with him the ideal prerequisites to strengthen us in research and teaching in the field of raw materials and circular economy, especially with a view to interdisciplinary projects," states Prof. Dr Andreas Horsch, Dean of the Faculty of Economics.
Alumnus returns to alma mater fribergensis
After studying geology, Volker Steinbach received his doctorate in 1987 in Freiberg. His dissertation on "Structure and development of the Carboniferous molasses in the Delitzsch-Bitterfeld area" was awarded the distinction "summa cum laude".
About the new honorary professor
Dr Volker Steinbach has held various positions at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) since 1990. He has been Head of the Natural Resources Department since 2007 and has also been Vice President since 2017. He is responsible for both raw materials research and policy and economic advice. In this capacity, he established the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA) in 2010, which is now a department of his division. His numerous committee and expert activities include the role of spokesperson for the German Resource Research Institute (GERRI).