SKZ Launches New Defence and Security Business Unit

Eugenie Schlesies, the new Head of the Defence and Security business unit, and Matthias Ruff, Head of Sales for Education and Research at SKZ / Authorized Signatory – (Photo: Luca Hoffmannbeck, SKZ).

The SKZ Plastics Center has established a new business unit dedicated to defence and security, effective 1 July 2026. Eugenie Schlesies is responsible for developing and coordinating the new unit.

With the move, SKZ is bringing together its existing expertise in polymer materials, manufacturing technologies and safety-critical applications. At the same time, the institute aims to strengthen collaboration and technical exchange with industry, research organisations and public-sector institutions.

The new business unit will focus on materials and technologies for applications that place particularly high demands on performance, reliability and service life. SKZ’s capabilities in this field include materials development and characterisation, manufacturing technologies, material and component testing, failure analysis, and the assessment of reliability and durability.

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The unit is also intended to act as a central point of contact for companies, research institutions, industry associations and public-sector bodies. One of its key objectives is to identify technical requirements at an early stage and translate them into joint research and development projects with external partners.

SKZ sees significant opportunities for the plastics industry in areas such as lightweight construction, fibre-reinforced composites, functional surfaces and additive manufacturing. Further fields of interest include the qualification and assessment of polymer-based materials and components, as well as their long-term performance.

Polymer materials are already used in a wide range of safety-critical systems, including housings, structural components, electronic assemblies and components for unmanned systems.

According to SKZ, Eugenie Schlesies brings professional experience from senior roles in the German Armed Forces. Her background enables the institute to combine its technical expertise in plastics with a practical understanding of processes and requirements in the defence sector.

More information: www.skz.de/defence

SKZ - Das Kunststoff-Zentrum, Würzburg, Germany

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