Building materials chemistry pioneer dies

On 13.07.2014 Dr. Alois ­Aignesberger, ­formerly of SKW Trostberg AG, died at the age of 88. His invention of a ­superplasticiser based on melamine resin made him a pioneer in the field of modern concrete admixtures and in the chemistry of building materials. Dr. ­Aignesberger was born in 1926 in Attnang-Puchheim/Austria and studied chemistry at the University of Innsbruck, before he joined the company originally called “Süddeutsche Kalkstick­stoff­werke” in Trostberg/Bavaria as head of the chemical laboratory in 1962. Melamine resins were one of the focal points of his work there. While working on building lime in 1962, he observed the extraordinarily strong plasticising effect of sulphonated melamine formaldehyde poly-condensates on cement, and the resultant superplasticiser was immediately registered for patent approval.

However, the significance of the ­in­vention in itself is outdone by Dr. Aignes­berger’s far-sightedness. He immediately realised that his invention would enable the manufacturing of extremely durable cement with a low water demand and very good workability. This concept, which revolutionised concrete technology at the time, was the greatest achievement in Dr. Aignesberger’s career. Nevertheless, it took 10 years for the concept to be accepted by the industry and formalised as a supplement to the former DIN1064 with the “Directive for the manufacturing and application of flowing concrete”, providing the basis for routine usage of the superplasticiser.

One important component in the success of the new superplasticiser was the series of “Melment®” symposiums, which took place from 1971 under the direction of Dr. Aignesberger. The revolutionary invention of “Melment®” superplasticiser enabled the company – now operating under the name of “SKW Trostberg AG” – to develop a worldwide business in construction chemicals, with activities in the sectors of concrete admixtures, dry mortar, architectural coatings, plaster and industrial floors. Dr. Aignesberger served the company as Research Manager until he retired in 1988.

All those who had the pleasure and privilege of working with Dr. ­Aignesberger will remember him as an unassuming person, but also as someone who pursued his ideas with much determination. Like so many other inventors, he needed great tenacity to win recognition for his concept of flowing concrete. He drew this tenacity from the deep inner conviction that his invention was of immense significance for modern concrete technology. Nevertheless, he was disappointed by the initial scepticism of some experts within the industry.

In 1998, SKW’s chemicals business unit merged with Degussa, and in 2007 this sector was sold to BASF. Today, the business unit already achieves a sales volume in excess of € 2 bn. The foundation stone for this unusual success story was laid more than 50 years ago by Dr. Aignesberger. Even today, thousands of tonnes of different Melment^® superplasticisers are manufactured in the Trostberg factory every year for application in concrete, dry mortar, gypsum and refractories.

With Dr. Aignesberger the construction chemicals industry loses one of its greatest inventors, and we all lose an amiable colleague and friend.