Franz Patat studied chemistry at the University of Vienna and physical chemistry at the University of Göttingen. He then made important contributions to the development of plastics production at I.G. Farben.
Patat’s life’s work encompassed three spheres of activity. The central topic was polymer research , where he provided numerous impulses and contributions to the fundamental understanding of the structural reaction of high-molecular substances. In doing so, he relied on broad interdisciplinarity and the ability to “think without boundaries”. His second focus was on ensuring that scientific findings about polymer plastics could be put into practice in industry, while maintaining scientific criteria.
In addition, Patat’s third focus was responsibility to society. This was expressed in a strong commitment to the self-government of the university and a diverse and extensive work in scientific societies.