On October 30, 2025, Wuhan University of Technology (China) President Prof. Fazhou Wang presented an honorary professorship to Emeritus of Excellence Prof. Johann Plank at a ceremony during the International Symposium on Advanced Construction Materials 2025. 

Prof. Plank is active globally in promoting more climate-friendly and resource-efficient building materials. His expertise is admixtures or polymers that make concrete flowable or workable without compromising strength and durability. Because cement production is responsible for over 3 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) annually. As a top emitter, and with a goal to significantly reduce emissions, Chinese research and industry partners are looking for leadership like Plank’s to move them in a greener direction.

As a result of the honorary professorship, Plank will work with colleagues at Wuhan’s State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures educating and supervising doctoral students to develop concepts to reduce the CO₂ emissions of the cement industry. Asked about why he would take on such an active role 5 years after retirement, Plank replied that he is eager to remain engaged, “I think research is fascinating, and you should do it with passion.... Students know when you love a subject and they respond best when they see your passion.”

Prof. Plank’s motivation goes beyond contributions to research; he is dedicated to making the environment — and life for the people who live in it — better.

“We are in a time period in which we can optimize old materials like concrete and create a whole new technology, providing homes, for example, to the world, especially in places that lack easy access to affordable building materials for housing,” says Plank.

The TUM School of Natural Sciences warmly congratulates Prof. Johann Plank on his award, and we look forward to hearing where this honorary professorship will lead him!

More information and links

• Prof. Plank's Chair for Construction Chemistry https://www.bauchemie.ch.tum.de/
• 2025 International Symposium on Advanced Building Materials held at WUT http://english.whut.edu.cn/cam/news/202511/t20251114_1356232.shtml 

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