Raphael Schaller
CTO, Collano
Raphael began his career as a technician in synthetic materials at Sika AG and Johnson Electric in Switzerland. He pursued undergraduate studies in Materials Science at ETH Zurich and Queen Mary University of London, earning his master’s degree in 2012. In 2013, Raphael commenced his doctor-al studies in polymer science at ETH Zurich. Following his Ph.D., Raphael conducted postdoctoral research in Switzerland and China in 2016. In Janu-ary 2017, he joined nolax, where he established the start-up “Thin-ply”. Since January 2024, Raphael has held the position of CTO at Collano AG.
Silane-epoxy Adhesives: Bridging Challenges, Bonding Futures
The versatility of our silane-epoxy adhesives has made them a go-to solution for our customers facing complex adhesion challenges in diverse industries. Bonding of dissimilar materials, ranging from ski manufacturing to building long-lasting facade modules, multi-material lightweight elements for vehicles and even ballistic protection systems are some examples of the applications where the unique properties of silane-epoxy adhesives are used. Despite the excitement surrounding this product’s innovation and applications, our journey with silane-epoxy adhesives has not been without challenges. After a company merger, our team faced a steep learning curve marked by chemical compliance issues, supply chain complexities, and knowledge transfer hurdles. Adhering to varying global regulations during reformulation efforts to ensure safety and environmental compliance, managing logistical barriers for such a specialized product, and empowering new team members to quickly adapt to the technical nuances and revisit pilot-, scale-up, and large-scale production of the silane-epoxy adhesive portfolio tested our company’s resilience. However, these obstacles also inspired solutions and innovations. By fostering collaboration across the technology and business development team and prioritizing customer communication, we turned these challenges into opportunities for growth, further cementing the position of our silane-epoxy adhesives as a versatile and indispensable solution in the adhesive industry.
A joint presentation Nikki O’Brien, Head of Global Business Development, Collano AG
Breakout X- Industry Outlook & Technologies – 12 September 2025 – 9:00 – 9:30 – Room 2