Chemist Dr. Reiner Fischer carries out research at
Bayer CropScience into new, environmentally friendly active ingredients. He is the father of the ketoenols – an active ingredient class that has revolutionized crop protection in some areas.
Dr. Fischer loves nature: the chemist gives much thought to maintaining the ecological balance and is concerned to maintain a viable environment for upcoming generations. As a crop protection researcher at Bayer CropScience in Monheim, Fischer has been concentrating for many years on the development of active ingredients to control insect pests.
“Our goal is to develop products that harm neither users nor the environment, but are still highly effective against pests,” is how Reiner Fischer describes the challenges he faces.
Since 1987, his name has been inextricably linked with the ketoenols. This substance class forms the basis for a range of highly effective and environmentally sustainable crop protection products from Bayer CropScience – including the new product
MoventoTM.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to develop environmentally friendly products,” says Fischer.
Very modest – like everything that the researcher says about himself and his work. He downplays his role, frequently says “we” instead of “I” and emphasizes the scientific facts and figures. In fact, he has every reason to be proud of his research achievements, because Dr. Fischer is one of the most distinguished inventors in the Bayer Group.
“Active ingredient research is always a question and answer game,” explains Fischer. One that he likes playing, plays patiently and is good at. His research career to date is clear evidence that perseverance leads to success.
He also follows this principle in his free time when he goes running. He started long-distance running 15 years ago - and by 2003 he had run 20 marathons. According to Fischer, running and active ingredient research have several things in common. You have to keep going even when you hit the wall, even if the going gets tough.
The sport not only gives Fischer strength, it also helps him to clear his head after a long day at work. He also manages to leave active ingredient research behind him when he’s with his partner, with friends or family, at the Borussia Mönchengladbach soccer stadium and during visits from his daughter - or by getting outdoors – although then nature might inspire Fischer with another good idea for finding and working on new, tailor-made active ingredients...