New research institute founded

VLB Berlin merges the Research Institute for Engineering and Packaging (FMV) and the Department of Brewing and Beverage Science & Applications (BBSA) to the new Research Institute for Beer and Beverage Production (FBGP). The new institute will be headed by Dr. Roland Pahl.

Background for this decision is the move of the current head of BBSA, Dr. Roland Folz, to Pentair, a global provider of water and process technology. There he takes the position as Head of Innovation & Technology of the business area Food & Beverage.

The VLB takes this development as an opportunity for an internal reorientation: The new Research Institute for Beer and Beverage Production (FIBGP) covers the entire range of research, consulting and services of the previous units FMV and BBSA. This merger aims at reorganizing overlapping working areas as well as generating synergies for the further development of the VLB competences in the field of beer and beverage production.

With Pahl, a recognized brewing expert takes over the responsibility for the new department. As a skilled brewer and maltster, he studied brewing science at the TU Berlin, where he received his doctorate. Since 2007 he is head of the VLB Research Institute for Engineering and Packaging (FMV). In this capacity, he has earned a high reputation – nationally and internationally – through a variety of projects, consultations, lectures and talks.

"Of course we regret the leaving of Roland Folz very much. However, I respect his decision and we will also continue to work together in the future”, commented Dr. Josef Fontaine, Managing Director of VLB. "With the merger of the two departments, we take the opportunity to sharpen our performance specifications further. I am convinced that Roland Pahl is the right person for the successful expansion of our brewery and beverage competences. We are sure that the two teams fit together and will complement each other perfectly.”