František Kaštánek Honoured for His Lifetime Contribution to Czech Chemistry

The Association of Chemical Industry of the Czech Republic has recognised Professor František Kaštánek’s more than sixty years of scientific and teaching work with the Czech Chemistry Personality 2026 award. The honour recognises his contributions to chemical engineering, bioengineering and environmental technologies. He also played a part in founding Technology Centre Prague.

František Kaštánek served as Director of the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences from 1990 to 1995 and is a professor of bioengineering at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague. His research focuses primarily on chemical engineering, biotechnology and environmental protection technologies.

The idea of establishing what was then the Technology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences emerged in the early 1990s at the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, which Kaštánek headed at the time. He was personally involved in establishing the Centre in 1994–1995. Nowadays, he is a member of the Emeritus Council of Technology Centre Prague.

“I see this award primarily as recognition of the work of the many colleagues, students and collaborators I have had the opportunity to work with throughout my career. Chemical engineering has always been a team discipline, and I am pleased that the results of Czech research are finding practical applications in industry and environmental protection,” said František Kaštánek upon receiving the award at the Czech Chemistry Evening on 22 October 2026.