German Society for Fat Science

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft e.V. (DGF) is a German non-profit scientific association dedicated to the science and technology of fats, oils and lipids. Founded in 1936 as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettforschung, it was re-established under its current name in 1948 and has since become the leading interdisciplinary network in its field, bringing together experts from academia, industry and regulatory bodies. Its mission encompasses promoting research, facilitating knowledge transfer, developing standard analytical methods, providing independent expertise to the public, and recognizing outstanding scientific achievements. The DGF organizes conferences, workshops and training courses, publishes scientific works and standard methods, and maintains working groups that address current topics in fat science. Its activities span food science, chemistry, nutrition, medicine, agriculture and environmental research. The society has played a key role in international cooperation, notably through the founding of the International Society for Fat Research (ISF) in 1954 and the European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids (Euro Fed Lipid) in 2000. With headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and a history rooted in Münster, the DGF serves as a central platform for professionals in the fats and oils sector. It offers its members access to a broad network, current scientific information and continuing education. The society also awards prizes for outstanding research and maintains close ties with related organizations such as the American Oil Chemists' Society. Through its activities, the DGF contributes to quality assurance, sustainable innovation and the advancement of fat science in Germany and beyond.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft (DGF) traces its origins to the late 19th century, when the German Reich was transforming into an agricultural and industrial state. In February 1915, the "Kriegsausschuß für pflanzliche und tierische Öle und Fette" (War Committee for Vegetable and Animal Oils and Fats) was founded. This was followed in October 1920 by the establishment of the "Wissenschaftliche Zentralstelle für Öl- und Fettforschung" (WIZÖFF). In 1927, the first edition of the "Einheitlichen Untersuchungsmethoden für die Fettindustrie" (Uniform Investigation Methods for the Fat Industry) was published, laying the groundwork for standardized analysis. On 24 March 1936, the constituent meeting of the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettforschung" took place, and on 6 October 1936, the society was officially registered as a non-profit association in the Berlin register of associations. The founding president was Hans Paul Kaufmann. The first general assembly was held from 18 to 21 February 1937. In 1937, H.P. Kaufmann participated in the trial voyage of the new whaling ship "Walter Rau". On 1 May 1939, the society was renamed "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft". After World War II, the society relocated to Münster and was re-established on 19 August 1948 under its current name. The first post-war conference took place in Münster in 1949. In 1954, on the initiative of the DGF, the International Society for Fat Research (ISF) was founded in Hanover on 26 October; by 2026 it had 23 member associations. The DGF was long-time operator of the Institute for Industrial Fat Research, which on 1 January 1969 was integrated as the "Institute for Biochemistry and Technology of Fats – H. P. Kaufmann Institute" into the Federal Institute for Fat Research (Bundesanstalt für Fettforschung), established in 1964. This split the Federal Institute into an "Institute for General and Analytical Chemistry" and the former DGF institute. On 1 January 1996, the DGF office moved from Münster to Frankfurt am Main. This marked the beginning of a phase of internationalization of congresses and publications, culminating in the founding of the European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids (Euro Fed Lipid) on 9 October 2000 in Würzburg. The DGF continues to be a central hub for fat science, organizing conferences, training courses and working groups, and publishing standard methods. In 2026, the society will celebrate its 90th anniversary with a congress in Hamburg.

• Founding of the "Kriegsausschuß für pflanzliche und tierische Öle und Fette" (War Committee for Vegetable and Animal Oils and Fats)

• Founding of the "Wissenschaftliche Zentralstelle für Öl- und Fettforschung" (WIZÖFF)

• First publication of the "Einheitlichen Untersuchungsmethoden für die Fettindustrie" (Uniform Investigation Methods for the Fat Industry)

• Constituent meeting of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettforschung

• Registration of the DGF as a non-profit association in the Berlin register of associations

• First general assembly (18-21 February 1937)

• H.P. Kaufmann participates in the trial voyage of the new whaling ship "Walter Rau"

• Renaming to Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft

• Re-establishment as Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft in Münster

• First post-war conference in Münster

• Founding of the International Society for Fat Research (ISF) in Hanover on DGF initiative

• Integration of the DGF's Institute for Industrial Fat Research into the Federal Institute for Fat Research as the H. P. Kaufmann Institute

• Move of the DGF office from Münster to Frankfurt am Main

• Founding of the European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids (Euro Fed Lipid) in Würzburg

• 90th anniversary congress in Hamburg (19-20 November 2026)

The leading scientific network for fat science in Germany, bridging academia and industry, and a key player in international lipid research.

• DGF Congress (Jubiläumstagung)

  Annual or anniversary congress bringing together experts from academia and industry.

• DGF Training Course (Fortbildungskurs)

  Continuing education courses on fat science and technology.

• Standard Methods for Fat Analysis

  Uniform investigation methods for the fat industry, first published in 1927.

• Scientific Publications

  Journals, books and conference proceedings on fat science.

1. 1Startseite - DG Fettdgfett.de
2. 2Über uns - DG Fettdgfett.de
3. 3Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
4. 4Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft - Wikidatawikidata.org