Death of a PVC pioneer

Significant figures in the history of plastics: Dr Fritz Klatte, one of the pioneers of plastics chemistry, died on 11. February 1934. The patents he obtained in 1912 and 1913 formed the basis for the first thermoplastic polymers, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Klatte did not live to experience their global success – his death at the age of only 53 meant that others enjoyed the benefits of his research and that his reputation faded at times. In the section entitled “Significant figures in the history of plastics”, the Topic of the Month in February 2018 (which can be found at k-online.de from 21.2.2018 onwards) focusses on the life and work of Dr Fritz Klatte.