Thomas Bechtold studied chemistry at the University Innsbruck. He has worked at the Research Institute for Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics of the University Innsbruck since 1981. First as a freelancer, since 1993 as a senior researcher and since 2010 – 2021 as a full professor. During the period from 1997 – 2019 he was head of the institute. Since his retirement in 2021 he is employed as a part time professor at the institute.
Thomas Bechtold’s research interests focus on a number of fields, always with relation to improving sustainability of textile processes: application of electrochemical processes in textile dyeing, natural colourants as sustainable dyes, regenerated cellulose fibres and textile dyeing and finishing, sports textiles and functional materials. He is author or co-author of more than 340 publications, therein more than 30 patents and two books (“Handbook of Natural Colorants”, and “Textile Chemistry”).
In 2017 he was awarded with the Wissenschaftspreis of land Tyrol, in 2015 Wissenschaftspreis of land Vorarlberg, in 2016 the Gold Medal, Coloration Technology, in 2006 LILLEHAMMER AWARD for EUREKA E! 2625 EUROENVIRON ECDVAT, Electrochemical Vat dyeing, in 2004 SDC Innovation Award, Society of Dyers and Colourists, for “Electrochemical Vat Dyeing“, Birmingham, UK, in 1994 the Research Medal 1994 of the Worshipful Company of Dyers (London).
Thomas Bechtold’s research interests focus on a number of fields, always with relation to improving sustainability of textile processes: application of electrochemical processes in textile dyeing, natural colourants as sustainable dyes, regenerated cellulose fibres and textile dyeing and finishing, sports textiles and functional materials. He is author or co-author of more than 340 publications, therein more than 30 patents and two books (“Handbook of Natural Colorants”, and “Textile Chemistry”).
In 2017 he was awarded with the Wissenschaftspreis of land Tyrol, in 2015 Wissenschaftspreis of land Vorarlberg, in 2016 the Gold Medal, Coloration Technology, in 2006 LILLEHAMMER AWARD for EUREKA E! 2625 EUROENVIRON ECDVAT, Electrochemical Vat dyeing, in 2004 SDC Innovation Award, Society of Dyers and Colourists, for “Electrochemical Vat Dyeing“, Birmingham, UK, in 1994 the Research Medal 1994 of the Worshipful Company of Dyers (London).