Sebastian Mayr

Sebastian Mayr is a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work centers on enzymatic lignin valorization for sustainable materials and green chemistry applications. He completed his PhD in 2024 and has been actively involved in EU-funded research projects such as BIOBUILD and sustainable fertilizer development.

His research focuses on the application of laccase enzymes for the functionalization of technical lignins, including kraft lignin and lignosulfonates, to produce value-added products such as hydrophobic coatings and polymers. His work integrates biocatalysis, physicochemical analysis, and green chemistry principles to develop sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials.

His 15 most recent publications (limited here to available data) show a strong trend in enzymatic modification of lignin, with increasing focus on copolymerization, hydrophobicity enhancement, and physicochemical characterization. The research spans disciplines including environmental biotechnology, materials science, and sustainable chemistry, with a clear emphasis on industrial applications of biobased feedstocks.

Sebastian Mayr has advised at least one master’s student and has participated in multiple externally funded research projects. He regularly presents his findings at international conferences such as OxiZymes and Renewable Resources and Biorefineries.

He is actively engaged in research and publication, with no indication of retirement or former staff status. His ongoing projects and recent PhD completion confirm his active role in advancing the field of environmental biotechnology.