Dr. Silke Wagener
Dr Silke Wagener worked on the advancement and globalization of innovative technologies for more than 30 years. For more than 20 years, her focus was on hydrogen and fuel cells. The polymer chemist, who holds a doctorate, worked at the Freudenberg Group from 1993 to 2024, where she held various leadership positions. In 2002, Dr Wagener took over the management of the newly founded Freudenberg Fuel Cell Technologies Business Group. In 2013, following the successful establishment of Freudenberg’s business activities in hydrogen and fuel cells, she took on the role of Director Strategic R&D in New Business Development. Thereafter, Dr Wagener, as Head of Technology Communication Innovation, coordinated the Freudenberg Group’s activities in the field of hydrogen.
As a result of her longstanding experience at Freudenberg, Dr Wagener is very familiar with the roles and challenges of the supplier industry in an international environment, in addition to her broad expertise in materials, products and manufacturing (from filters to seals and nonwovens). In industrial circles, Freudenberg is regarded as a global pioneer in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Building on her expertise in the various industries in which hydrogen plays a role, Dr Wagener has helped set up a wide range of international partnerships in Europe, North America and Asia in her various roles at Freudenberg in the three relevant segments of automotive, industry and energy. She has also established internal and external networks and supported key customers.
Dr Wagener serves on numerous boards. Examples include her roles as a trustee and advisory board member for various Fraunhofer Institutes, the Federal Institute for Materials Testing (BAM), and Hydrogen Roadmap Baden-Württemberg.
