New Leadership for the Component Properties Research Group at SKZ
Effective July 1, 2026, Dr.-Ing. Yusra Hambal has assumed leadership of the Component Properties Research Group within the Quality and Life Cycle (QuL) division at the SKZ Plastics Center. As the new group leader, Yusra Hambal will be responsible for the strategic development of innovative material concepts. Her focus will be on optimizing component properties, integrating recycled materials, increasing the use of bio-based and sustainable materials, and implementing circular economy approaches throughout the entire product life cycle.
Dr. Linda Mittelberg (left) welcomes Dr.-Ing. Yusra Hamal as the new head of the Component Properties Research Group at SKZ.
Dr. Yusra Hambal seit 1. Juli 2026 neue Gruppenleiterin
The Component Properties Group addresses issues related to the quality and service life of plastic components with regard to material properties, design, processing, and application conditions. One focus is on accelerated testing of long-term behavior under both static and dynamic loads; another is on process-structure-property relationships to optimize the property profiles of plastic products. “I am very much looking forward to my new role and am excited about the new challenges and the opportunities they present,” said Hambal.
After completing her master’s degree at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Duisburg-Essen in the field of functional polymer materials. Thanks to her many years of experience in application-oriented research and her work in industry, she possesses extensive expertise in the areas of materials engineering, process development, circular economy, and technology transfer.
Future Development of the Component Properties Group
The Component Properties Group will continue to focus on the application and further development of accelerated testing methods and service life predictions. Particularly in light of new regulations regarding the increased use of recycled materials, as well as the growing availability of sustainable alternatives, accelerated service life assessment is becoming increasingly important for developing future-proof and sustainable solutions for demanding technical applications.
“We are pleased to have gained Yusra Hambal, a motivated leader with a focus on material innovation, resource efficiency, and the circular economy,” says Dr. Linda Mittelberg, Head of Quality and Lifecycle.
More about the Component Properties Research Group
