Home | Max Planck Institute for Chemistry

This is where we conduct our research: Our institute is located on the campus of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

This is where we do our research: Our institute is located on the campus of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

We investigate the interactions between air, water, soil, life and climate throughout the history of the Earth up to the present day, which is shaped by humans and known as the Anthropocene.

We investigate the interactions between air, water, soil, life and climate in the course of the Earth's history up to the present human-dominated era, the Anthropocene.

In our laboratories, we analyse water samples, for example, to trace the climate of the past.

We conduct lab experiments analyzing, for example, water samples to determine past climates.

Our scientists also conduct research in many exciting locations around the world, such as high above the Brazilian rainforest.

Our scientists also conduct research in many exciting places on Earth, such as high above the Brazilian rainforest.

With the help of the ATTO climate research tower, we want to find out how rainforests, the atmosphere and the global climate influence each other.

Using the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory ATTO, we aim to understand the interactions between the rainforest, atmosphere, and global climate.

Two people on a sailboat adjusting sails with a wind turbine in the background and the sun setting over calm ocean waters.

We collect seawater, plankton and air samples with our deep-sea research sailing yacht Eugen Seibold.

We use aircraft to explore the atmosphere and collect data there in order to understand natural and anthropogenic aerosol particles and the chemical processes in the atmosphere.

We also carry out experiments on board aircraft, which we use to study natural and anthropogenic aerosol particles and chemical processes in the atmosphere.

Scientific curiosity and teamwork are at the forefront. However, our expeditions also offer plenty of opportunities for adventure.

Scientific curiosity and teamwork are our focus, but we also embrace the spirit of adventure on our expeditions.

News

Satellites accurately detect methane emissions in large-scale test

October 15, 2026

Researchers analyzed spaceborne instrument observations of controlled methane releases in a yearlong experiment led by Stanford scientists. The results can inform efforts to identify major methane sources, eliminate leaks, and reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas.

Scientists in Mainz and Beijing receive award for successful long-term international collaboration

September 21, 2026

Ulrich Pöschl, director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, and Hang Su, director at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, jointly received the Fissan-Pui-TSI Award 2026. The award, presented every four years, recognizes outstanding international collaboration in the field of aerosol research.