The German technical institute FILK has announced the death of Professor Günter Reich, its former Director. The international leather science community has lost one of its most distinguished figures, and FILK has lost a personality who played a decisive role in shaping the institute’s development over several decades.
Professor Günter Reich died at the age of 98, following a long life in which he remained active well into his later years. He was born on February 21, 1928, in Niederwiesa, Saxony. After training as a tanner, he studied chemistry at the Technical University of Dresden, where the lectures of Professor Fritz Stather on tanning chemistry had a lasting influence on his professional career.
In 1956, Reich joined the German Leather Institute in Freiberg, where he became head of research and deputy director. In 1967, he succeeded Stather as Director. Under his leadership, the institute significantly expanded its research activities. In addition to tanning chemistry and leather technology, collagen, synthetic tanning agents and modern synthetic leathers became important areas of research.
Günter Reich maintained an extensive international network of contacts that extended well beyond the borders of the former GDR. He remained in professional contact with scientists, companies, associations and research institutions in Germany and abroad, even during periods when East-West contacts were restricted. His long-standing relationships with organisations such as IULTCS, VGCT and UNIDO proved particularly valuable during the period of German reunification.
Following the collapse of East German industry, FILK rapidly lost many of its clients and faced an uncertain economic future. Reich played a major role in helping to secure the institute’s continued existence and development during this difficult period.
At the turn of 1992/93, he handed over the leadership of the institute to his long-time colleague and protégé, Professor Dr Michael Stoll. Even after his retirement, Reich continued to follow FILK’s development with great interest.
His scientific legacy is impressive: around 200 publications, eight monographs and 52 patents document his lifelong commitment to leather, collagen and tanning chemistry. His work “From Collagen to Leather – The Theoretical Background” remains an important reference in the field.
Günter Reich received numerous honours for his scientific achievements, including the Stiasny Medal of the VGCT and the IULTCS Merit Award in 2013.
Professor Günter Reich combined scientific expertise with a deep understanding of industrial practice and a strong commitment to supporting young scientists. During one of the most difficult periods in FILK’s history, following German reunification, he took on responsibilities that went far beyond his role as a scientist. The fact that FILK has successfully developed into an independent, non-profit research institute is due in no small part to his dedication and efforts.