Max Schaffner

Max Schaffner was not only a skilled scientist in the field of chemistry; he was an even more capable manager. He made the Ústí chemical plant one of the most important players on the European market and the biggest chemical enterprise in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

Max Schaffner was born on 25th March 1830 in Meisenheim am Glan in the Rhineland and studied chemistry, engineering and technical architecture in Karlsruhe. In 1859, the word about Max Schaffner’s abilities convinced the administrative board of the recently established Austrian Association for Chemical and Metallurgical Production in Ústí nad Labem (now Spolchemie) to bring in the expert from his home in Germany and take him on. He became the special technical director and thanks to his work and efforts the enterprise moved away from its difficult early days and came to be a world-class business. First of all he made changes to the production programme and technical equipment of the enterprise. He himself was involved in developing new production processes. He thought up a way to use the salt sludge piled up around the factory to obtain sulphur, known as Schaffner’s Method (1863). His discovery was acclaimed by the Academy of Sciences in Munich as a major step forward for the chemical industry. When he became the director general (1871), he was also able to run the economy side of the enterprise. The association came to be headed by an expert who brought with him modern, grand yet highly economical ideas. This was also recognised by the association’s shareholders, who enjoyed high dividends (as much as 24 %). Proof of its outstanding technical standards can be seen in a number of international awards, such as the gold medal from the 1862 Great London Exposition, a special honorary diploma at the Vienna World's Fair in 1873, and the gold medal at the Paris World's Fair in 1878. In 1901 was awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, the university in Karlsruhe. 

The Ústí chemical works became a leading European player. Schaffner agreed on a merger with the Belgian firm Solvay & Cie, holder of the world patent for the production of soda. In 1889 he became president of the administrative board. He ensured that his laboratories were staffed by leading chemists and technologists. Research into new methods of producing hydrochloric acid resulted in what is known as bell electrolysis (1899), a world-renowned patent, which also helped to keep the chemical works at the technological cutting edge even in the early 20th century. Thanks to Schaffner the Association for Chemical and Metallurgical Production became the biggest chemical enterprise in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

Schaffner’s patronage is also important, particularly for the enterprise’s social policy, which was unusual for the time and which he played a great part in implementing. By the end of the 60s labourers’ houses had been built with flats, to be followed by apartments for clerks. The first set up a nursery school, a shelter for disabled workers, a spa and canteens. These comforts were financed by a trust fund set up by Schaffner, to which he himself donated a generous 10 000 crowns.

Schaffner withdrew from his post as president of the administrative board in May 1898 at the age of 68; however, he remained a member until his death in 1906.

Novák, M.: Mládí Mezinárodního chemického monopolu: 1. díl dějin Spolku pro chemickou a hutní výrobu 1856–1918. Ústí nad Labem 1967.
Kaiser, V.; Kaiserová, K. (a kol.): Dějiny města Ústí nad Labem. Ústí nad Labem 1995.

Max Schaffner (early 20th century) (Author: public domain)

Photo of the Association for Chemical and Metallurgical Production`s operation in 1916. (Author: Municipal Museum of Ústí nad Labem. Collections.)