Native of Austria, Karl studied Chemistry at the Technical University of Vienna to obtain a degree in chemical engineering, where the domains of pharma- and food-biochemistry attracted him most.
In 1973, he obtained a scholarship from the French Government to do PhD research work at the Nuclear Research Center Saclay. Subject: biochemistry and biophysics of vasoactive peptides. After receiving his doctorate in Biochemistry, he continued as a tenured scientist in the Center, with further work on various peptides and more than 30 published papers in the field.
In 1984, Karl joined the Henkel company ...
Read more
Native of Austria, Karl studied Chemistry at the Technical University of Vienna to obtain a degree in chemical engineering, where the domains of pharma- and food-biochemistry attracted him most.
In 1973, he obtained a scholarship from the French Government to do PhD research work at the Nuclear Research Center Saclay. Subject: biochemistry and biophysics of vasoactive peptides. After receiving his doctorate in Biochemistry, he continued as a tenured scientist in the Center, with further work on various peptides and more than 30 published papers in the field.
In 1984, Karl joined the Henkel company in Düsseldorf, Germany, as an Applied Research lab manager, charged with creating and running a small team of chemists to develop and field test products and processes to improve sanitation on the dairy farm and in food industry. Microbiology, metal corrosion, detergency and foaming technology replaced studies of peptide receptor interactions…
1990: after his return to Paris, Karl accepted the position of Technical Director in the SEDERMA company, charged with developing active ingredients for cosmetic products. When Croda bought SEDERMA in 1997, Karl was named Managing Director (CEO), a position he held for 10 years. He then moved on to assume the role of Technical Advisor to the Croda Group.
In 2010, he left to set up his present Consultancy Company KAL’IDEES which allows him to participate both in ingredient development and advising finished product formulators in many aspects of cosmetic research.
Karl also accepted a teaching position (at the ISIPCA institute and at the University of Versailles) to help transmit some of his experience to the next generation of cosmetic chemists.
He was Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Cosmetic Science from 2012 to 2016.
He is a member of the SCC (Society of Cosmetic Chemists USA), a member of SFC (Soc. Française de Cosmétique), and also a member of DGK (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kosmetika), a member of Cosmetic Valley and served several years as an active member of EFfCI, the European Organisation of Cosmetic Ingredients Industries. In 2012 he was awarded the prestigious Maison-de-Navarre Medal of the SCC and in spring of 2013 he received the In-Cosmetics Lifetime Achievement Award.
He speaks four languages (GB, F, D, E), loves to read, ski, bike and, more recently, run.
Read less