Management Team
Dr. Roland Kalb is founder and scientific-technical director of the company. After receiving a master’s degree in chemistry at the University of Vienna, he worked at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and was Head of the Organic Chemistry at the ECHEM Centre of Competence for Applied Electro-chemistry. In 2003 he invented a halide free, industrial production process for ionic liquids (CBILS®-process) and set up proionic in 2004. In 2017 he obtained a doctor degree from the University of Rostock. He is the key expert in ionic liquids, with almost 20 years of practical experience in development, production and technical application of ionic liquids. Roland Kalb is inventor on numerous international patents and patent applications and a member of multiple technical advisory boards.
Michael Koncar, CEO of proionic, holds a master and PhD in process engineering. Michael successfully founded VTU Holding, a company group active in chemical plant engineering and construction. The company group employs more than 500 people. In 2010 the group acquired 85% of proionic and it was Michael’s main task to further develop the company. In 2018 he sold 70% of his VTU Engineering shares and invested in proionic again to ramp up production of ionic liquids. His new KonValue Holding GmbH holds shares of several other innovative companies.
Bernhard Ludwig is Head of Operations & Sales at proionic GmbH. He holds a Master’s degree in Process Engineering and in Energy Supply Engineering, both from the Mining University Leoben, Austria. After 2 years in Energy Consulting and 7 years as project manager in turn-key-plant projects at VTU Engineering, he joined proionic in 2018. Bernhard is responsible for the operative business.
Markus Damm is Head of Research & Development at proionic GmbH. After completion of his master studies working on microwave chemistry, he was focusing on process intensification and the development of continuous flow processes during his time as PhD and postdoc. At proionic GmbH he is responsible for the management of R&D projects and the continuous improvement and development of high purity ionic liquid products.