Alumni of the Faculty of Natural Sciences share their stories
“What happened next?”
What began as a student project has developed into a growing company with international potential: back in 2020, we reported on students who developed paper from pineapple leaves and had the courage to found their own business. Today, the Hannover-based company eco:fibr GmbH produces fibres from agricultural residues. Their story began with the idea of turning waste into environmentally friendly products. Merit Ulmer-Kasak, co-founder of eco:fibr and graduate of the Life Science bachelor’s and master’s programmes, tells us about the role the Faculty played in this journey – and what came next.
Three questions for Merit Ulmer-Kasak, co-managing director von eco:fibr and alumna of our faculty
Editorial team, Faculty of Natural Sciences: To what extent did your time at the Faculty shape the way you approach research or learning?I
I started, already in my third semester of the bachelor’s programme, to work alongside my studies within the student organisation Enactus on ways to use non-exportable bananas and later on pineapple plants. This was made possible through the support of the Institute of Technical Chemistry and the Faculty of Natural Sciences. This encouragement – based on the conviction that motivated students should be supported – still fills me with deep gratitude and faith in the good in people. We were given the opportunity to write several theses on our topics, and I was encouraged to think and conduct research independently. I also had the chance to pass on this way of thinking to many students whose theses I helped to supervise. The focus was always on developing one’s own ideas and approaches. Only through that initial support was our team – and I personally – able to found our current startup, eco:fibr.
How did the networks and contacts you made during your time at our university influence your career?
Alongside my work at eco:fibr, I was also active in the student council and several university committees, including appointment commissions. In this context, I got to know many people within the university environment and gained insights into internal processes. Close exchange and participation in meetings related to the Excellence Initiative a few years ago not only opened doors for networking but also took away my fear of talking to experienced individuals, including public figures. That experience helps me to this day to approach conversations with board members of large corporations or with politicians in an open and confident way.
Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to current students or researchers?
I would encourage everyone to get involved alongside their studies or research and to look beyond their own field! The soft skills and experiences you gain in the process enrich your life enormously and can make a real difference - whether when pursuing your own ideas (which I can only recommend) or in professional life in general. I would also strongly advise being open about challenges and accepting help - doing so saves unnecessary time and energy. Without the support of the university, both financial and personal, as well as the expertise of staff members at the institutes, neither I nor eco:fibr would be where we are today.
The startup eco:fibr makes use of plant residues for industrial purposes. These fibres can be used in the paper, construction, or materials industries as an alternative or supplement to wood pulp. The startup, founded in 2022 by three people, is currently taking important next steps: after two successful funding rounds, 5.5 tonnes of plant material are now on their way to Germany, where our partner company fiberrec in Munich will process them into fibres ready for industrial applications. The goal for 2026 is to secure long-term supply agreements as the basis for financing our first in-house production facility, which will have a capacity of around 7,000 tonnes of pineapple fibres per year.
The portrait series "What happened next?“ presents former students, doctoral candidates and other persons, that helped shaping our faculty over the years. Through a set of selected questions, we highlight their stories and trace their journeys after graduation, their experiences, and their continued connections with the Faculty. In doing so, the series paints a vivid picture of professional and personal development – and of the people who continue to shape our community.
