Change in the management
of UVR-FIA GmbH

Since 1 January 2025, Dipl.-Ing. Steffen Schmidt leads UVR-FIA GmbH into the future as the new Managing Director. His predecessors, Dr.-Ing. Andre Kamptner and Dr.-Ing. Henning Morgenroth, resigned from management board in 2024. Both will continue to support the company as consultants and project managers.

1 As the new managing director of UVR-FIA GmbH, Dipl.-Ing. Steffen Schmidt can count on the support of the two former managing directors, Andre Kamptner and Dr Henning Morgenroth
© UVR-FIA GmbH

Steffen Schmidt completed his studies at the Institute of Me- chanical Process Engineering and Mineral Processing at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg under Prof Dr Klaus Husemann. Steffen Schmidt’s focus was on particle technology, particularly the interactions of particles in mechanical processes. His thesis covered thermal powder spraying processes used in surface coatings in the automotive industry, among others.

Steffen Schmidt began his professional career immediately after graduating in 2006 at GfE Fremat GmbH in Brand-Erbisdorf, a manufacturer of high-performance metals and materials. Initially, he worked in the research and development department “Thermal Spraying”.

In 2009 he took  over as Production Manager in the area of component coating, gaining experience as the leader of a larger team. In 2015, Steffen Schmidt transitioned to sales as Sales Manager, where he was also responsible for technical customer support.

During his 18 years at GfE Fremat, Steffen Schmidt gained extensive experience in research and development as well as production and sales. His expertise in planning, organization, technical processing, and commercial customer support makes him well-suited for his new role at UVR-FIA GmbH, which provides research, development, and production services in mechanical process engineering and the processing of mineral and secondary raw materials.

2 Dipl.-Ing. Steffen Schmidt in conversation with an employee
© UVR-FIA GmbH

“It’s certainly too early to talk about specific future projects,” says Steffen Schmidt.“But what I would definitely like to tackle is the development of new industrial sectors, such as the food industry. I also see great potential for UVR-FIA GmbH to offer services in the implementation of projects and the optimisation of processes in the production and processing of powdered food as a competent partner for this sector.” Another long-term goal is the modernisation of the technical infrastructure in the Test Centre and also to drive forward research into possible applications of AI, for example to optimise the collection and evaluation of data. Last but not least, Steffen Schmidt also plans to intensify public relations efforts in order to make the work of UVR-FIA GmbH even better known. A model for this is the very successful participation in the “Night of Science and Industry” in May 2024, which is organised every two years by the city of Freiberg and the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. At this event, UVR-FIA showcased live demonstrations on applied research into the processing and recycling of raw materials, such as the beneficiation of lithium. The collaboration with local, national, and European research institutions that are pursuing new approaches in the field of effective processing of primary and secondary raw materials will continue and be further developed. “With our versatile pilot-scale plant technology, we can effectively bridge the gap between laboratory and large-scale production.”

Since May 2024 Steffen Schmidt has been familiarising himself with the entire work and process flows at UVR-FIA GmbH as a project manager. Now he looks forward to the future tasks and challenges of his new role, and can initially continue to rely on the support of his predecessors, Dr Andre Kamptner and Dr Henning Morgenroth.