What does an adhesive tape need to do in its intended application? For Fiona Hu, that question is the starting point for understanding the customer. The requirements for a tape reveal how a product will be used, what conditions it must withstand, and what needs to be considered during manufacturing. Since joining Lohmann in 2008, she has worked to turn those requirements into suitable solutions. Today, she leads the Technology Center at Lohmann China, bringing together product development, process, and quality. 

More than ten years in application engineering have shaped the way she approaches technical challenges. Her enthusiasm for development remains just as strong today. The people who supported her along the way and her confidence in her own abilities have been equally important to her journey. 

What do you enjoy most about working in a scientific field?

I really enjoy finding good technical solutions for our customers. That might mean developing a product that earns the customer’s approval or working with a team to solve a quality issue. In product development, we communicate with customers through our products, in a sense: We understand their requirements and turn them into concrete solutions. 

One example is an adhesive tape for a packaging application. It was especially important that trapped air could escape and that the adhesive strength was suited to the application. At the same time, we needed to find out why wrinkles were forming in the material near the roll core. Several factors played a role: coating, winding, and the quality of roll core. Through extensive investigation and testing, a small core team was able to solve the problem. Shared successes like that motivate me.

How did you become interested in science and eventually join Lohmann? What is your role today?

I was interested in chemistry from an early age, so I decided to study polymer science and engineering. I then earned a master’s degree in materials science, specializing in polymer materials. 

I joined Lohmann as an Application Engineer in 2008. There, I learned more about adhesives and adhesive tapes and was able to use my knowledge of polymers to better understand our products and technologies. That experience still helps me understand our customers’ requirements and support them in a focused way. 



I led the application engineering team for around ten years. At the end of 2023, I took on responsibility for research and development, and quality was added to my role in April 2024. Today, I lead the Technology Center at Lohmann China, which brings together product development, process, and quality. My experience in application engineering continues to shape my work, both when developing new products and when ensuring quality requirements are met. I always keep the customer’s perspective in mind. 

Which people, decisions, or stages of your career have had the greatest influence on you?

Which project or topic at Lohmann is especially important to you, and why?

Two projects are particularly important to my team and me right now: an experimental coater and building our expertise in polymerization. 

The small coater will allow us to produce samples of new products more quickly and reduce development costs. That will directly support our product development work. 



Polymerization, on the other hand, is a fundamental, long-term topic. We want to extend  the ability within Lohmann China’s development team to create our own adhesive formulations.

What professional, structural, or cultural barriers do women still face in STEM, and what needs to change?

I do not see any major barriers within the company. But the stereotype that women are less capable than men in science still exists. Some girls and women begin to believe it when they encounter difficulties in their studies or careers. That is why I think it is important to maintain confidence in your abilities and not let such stereotypes define what you can achieve. 

What advice would you give young women considering a degree or career in STEM?

Be confident and find out what matters to you personally. Stay curious and never stop learning. Many doors can open for you.

Lohmann
Women in STEM

What inspires women to pursue careers in science and technology? How did they find their path — and what have they experienced along the way? In our interview series, we introduce colleagues who conduct research, develop technologies, and take on responsibility at Lohmann. Their stories show the many different paths a STEM career can take — and where barriers still remain.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.