Michael Carus to Step Down From nova-Institute Management After 30 Years

nova-Institute confirmed a change in its senior management following a one-year transition period. The shift marks the transfer of leadership from founder Michael Carus to his successor Lars Börger, while maintaining continuity in the institute’s strategic direction.

Michael Carus will leave his operational management role in the Renewable Carbon division on 1 March 2026 and remain involved as senior advisor and shareholder. Lars Börger will take over as CEO together with COO Linda Engel.

“After more than 30 years of hard work, I am delighted to hand over my management responsibilities to Lars Börger. During our one-year transition phase, we have carefully prepared for this change and positioned nova-Institute for a secure future. In my new role as Senior Advisor, I will support the new Renewable Feedstock department and continue to devote all my energy to the decarbonisation of the chemical, materials, and plastics industries,” Michael Carus explains.

Carus founded nova-Institute in 1994 with other scientists after earlier work in IT, science journalism, solar technology and at an environmental institute where he headed the resources department. Under his leadership, the organisation developed from a six-person start-up into an institute employing around 50 scientists and focusing on renewable carbon. His work expanded from industrial biomass use in construction and automotive applications to plastics and chemical industries, and later to CO2 utilisation and recycling. These activities led to the development of the concepts of renewable carbon and defossilisation.

In addition to his role at nova-Institute, Carus has served as Managing Director of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) and as a member of several European Commission working groups. In 2020, he launched the Renewable Carbon Initiative, which now includes almost 80 companies. Since 2021, he has also overseen the Renewable Materials Conference, which attracts 400–500 participants annually and will be held again in Siegburg from 22–24 September 2026.

“Michael Carus laid the foundation for the success story of nova-Institute with his pioneering work. We are very grateful for his extraordinary commitment, foresight and responsible handover. We look forward to continuing to develop ideas together and putting our pioneering spirit into practice in the future,” says Lars Börger, CEO of nova-Institute. “Industrial transformation is more urgent than ever today, and at the same time it represents a great opportunity. As an independent, science-based catalyst and thought leader, we will actively shape this change. Success requires a combination of strategic vision and detailed analysis of sustainability, technology, politics, the market and economic efficiency. That is exactly what nova stands for.”

The institute operates with an interdisciplinary team of around 50 scientists supporting international innovation projects and providing management and strategy consultancy. Its work includes assessments of technologies and raw materials in terms of market potential, legal framework, sustainability and commercialisation, with the aim of supporting the transition from fossil to renewable carbon.

With Lars Börger as CEO, nova-Institute plans to strengthen its focus on advising companies, associations and policymakers on solutions based on biomass, direct CO2 utilisation (CCU) and recycling. Börger previously held senior positions at BASF in Germany and China and at Neste in Finland, and served on the board of European Bioplastics.

“The nova-Institute's success story spans more than 30 years and stands for independent research and scientifically sound consultancy for a sustainable chemical and materials industry. With Lars Börger as CEO and Michael Carus as Senior Advisor, we are well placed for the future,” says Linda Engel, COO of nova-Institute.

The organisation is structured into three business areas that were previously overseen by four managing directors: Michael Carus, Lars Börger, Linda Engel and Dirk Schubert. Michael Carus stepped down as managing director on 1 March 2026 and will continue as shareholder and senior advisor to the Renewable Carbon business area.