[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Interview with start-up founders Gerrit Christiansen (SCS Holding GmbH) and Daniel Martschoke (Lynatox GmbH) [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The DS Group is continuing to develop steadily. To this end, we are seeking strong partners in the chemicals and energy segments – but increasingly also for innovative start-ups and equity investments in green tech and sustainability. This strategy is beginning to bear fruit: The young companies Lynatox GmbH and SCS Holding GmbH with its subsidiary ELAPRO GmbH & Co. KG are part of the DS family. We asked their respective founders Gerrit Christiansen and Daniel Martschoke how this came about and in what ways they benefit from working with the DS Group.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mr. Christiansen, Mr. Martschoke, can you explain in less than 10 sentences what your company does and what its business idea is?<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerrit Christiansen (SCS Holding)<\/strong><\/p>\n Since 2015, we have been producing liquid plastics with which customers can seal flat roofs in particular. Our liquid plastic is an alternative to welding or classic roofing covers. Using this liquid plastic, it is possible to work much more conveniently and flexibly. We also develop liquid sealants and adhesives for the automotive industry. In the past, our focus was on corrosion protection, paints, lacquers and coatings. However, when my colleague Bernd Merle and I joined the company in 2015, we completely revamped the business model and structures. So if you look at it closely, Elapro in its current form has been around for many years, but our current business model and the company\u2019s structures are all very young. That’s why the term \u201cstart-up\u201d is very apt.<\/p>\n Daniel Martschoke (Lynatox GmbH)<\/strong><\/p>\n In short, we have developed a chemical method for purifying water cost-efficiently and on a sustainable basis. We have come up with a catalyst with which we can clean water of organic pollutants. Pollutants in this case are odorous substances, dyes, toxins, drug residues, herbicides, pesticides or multi-resistant germs. At Lynatox, we develop the basic technology and applications in various areas. The process is known as \u201cphotocatalysis\u201d, i.e. a chemical reaction using light. This produces harmless end products, namely carbon dioxide and water.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/lynatox-luftreiniger.webp” alt=”Luftreiniger von Lynatox” title_text=”lynatox-luftreiniger” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Daniel Martschoke Gerrit Christiansen [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Gerrit Christiansen Daniel Martschoke [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#D4D4D4″ divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/zitat.svg” title_text=”zitat” admin_label=”Anf\u00fcrhungszeichen” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”80px” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Zitat” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.8em” text_line_height=”1.1em” text_font_size_tablet=”1.6em” text_font_size_phone=”1.6em” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Diersch & Schr\u00f6der then supported us from the very beginning in terms of business management and organisation<\/strong>, allowing us to further develop our business and our ideas.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#D4D4D4″ divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#FFE600″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Daniel Martschoke \u201cWater could well be the new oil of the future.\u201d This made it very evident to us that they were seriously interested in working with us in the long term.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Gerrit Christiansen<\/strong> Gerrit Christiansen The DS Group\u2019s network is very helpful to us, especially in Asia.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Daniel Martschoke [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/lynatox-fluid.webp” alt=”Lynatox Fluid in der Entwicklungsabteilung” title_text=”lynatox-fluid” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/lynatox-technik-1.webp” alt=”Platine von Lynatox Luftreiniger” title_text=”lynatox-technik” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Gerrit Christiansen Daniel Martschoke [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/lynatox-geschaeftsfuehrer.jpg” alt=”Lynatox Gesch\u00e4ftsf\u00fchrer” title_text=”lynatox-geschaeftsfuehrer” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Daniel Martschoke Gerrit Christiansen [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Gerrit Christiansen Daniel Martschoke [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Interview with start-up founders Gerrit Christiansen (SCS Holding GmbH) and Daniel Martschoke (Lynatox GmbH) The DS Group is continuing to develop steadily. To this end, we are seeking strong partners in the chemicals and energy segments – but increasingly also for innovative start-ups and equity investments in green tech and sustainability. This strategy is beginning to bear fruit: The young companies Lynatox GmbH and SCS Holding GmbH with its subsidiary ELAPRO GmbH & Co. KG are part of the DS family. We asked their respective founders Gerrit Christiansen and Daniel Martschoke how this came about and in what ways they benefit from working with the DS Group.Mr. Christiansen, Mr. Martschoke, can you explain in less than 10 sentences what your company does and what its business idea is? Gerrit Christiansen (SCS Holding) Since 2015, we have been producing liquid plastics with which customers can seal flat roofs in particular. Our liquid plastic is an alternative to welding or classic roofing covers. Using this liquid plastic, it is possible to work much more conveniently and flexibly. We also develop liquid sealants and adhesives for the automotive industry. In the past, our focus was on corrosion protection, paints, lacquers and coatings. However, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Im Bremer Kalihafen tut sich was: Eine gro\u00dfangelegte Investition in die Hafeninfrastruktur sorgt f\u00fcr Verbesserungen, die den gesamten Standort st\u00e4rken. Auch die WESER-PETROL, eine Tochtergesellschaft der DS-Gruppe, profitiert von dieser Ma\u00dfnahme. F\u00fcr das Unternehmen stehen dabei insbesondere die neuen Dalben1) und das vertiefte Hafenbecken im Fokus. Diese erm\u00f6glichen k\u00fcnftig das direkte Anlegen gr\u00f6\u00dferer Tankschiffe mit einem Tiefgang von bis zu 10,5 Metern. Das bringt erhebliche Vorteile f\u00fcr die Logistik, senkt die Kosten und steigert die Wettbewerbsf\u00e4higkeit.\r\n\r\nStarker Partner in der Energieversorgung\r\nWESER-PETROL betreibt im Kalihafen ein Seehafentanklager und ist ein zentraler Akteur in der Energieversorgung der Region. Das Unternehmen bietet an vier Standorten Lagerkapazit\u00e4ten f\u00fcr Mineral\u00f6lprodukte und Biokraftstoffe. Die enge Anbindung an den internationalen Gro\u00dfhandel macht den Standort an der Waterbergstra\u00dfe zu einer wichtigen Drehscheibe f\u00fcr den Import und die Auslagerung von Mineral\u00f6lprodukten und Biokraftstoffen.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,59],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-better-together","category-young-business-en"],"acf":{"titel_h1":"Two Founders Talking about Startups and Subsidiaries","titel_h2":"'Cooperation Expands Horizons on Both Sides.'","vorschautext-news":"The Founders of SCS Holding GmbH and Lynatox GmbH in Conversation about Startups and Investments with the DS Group.","titelbild-news":4669,"bildunterschrift_news":"Daniel Martschoke, Managing Director of Lynatox GmbH, and Gerrit Christiansen, Managing Director of ELAPRO GmbH & Co. KG"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4693"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4749,"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4693\/revisions\/4749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n<\/em><\/p>\nHow did the collaboration with Diersch & Schr\u00f6der come about?<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>We had conducted an experiment with a spherical granulate and discovered that we can also break down petroleum in water with this granulate by adding sunlight. We can insert these floating granulate balls in the water, where they absorb the oil and break it down completely. In experiments, we were able to prove and document this effect. The contact with Diersch & Schr\u00f6der arose via a company we know.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>We were in talks with another company in Bremen. But then they suggested approaching Diersch & Schr\u00f6der. They knew that Diersch & Schr\u00f6der wanted to position itself more broadly in this technology sector. We had been looking for a partner for some time but had not found a suitable candidate with whom we could talk on an equal footing. Then Diersch & Schr\u00f6der came along and was convinced of our idea, our documentation and the technology.<\/p>\nAnd how did the process of getting to know each other go? Did everyone involved already know what they wanted?<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>I met Jan Christiansen, the CEO of Diersch & Schr\u00f6der Holding, in Wolfsburg. There was an initial exchange, which was followed by further very constructive meetings. Dates, deadlines and agreements were meticulously adhered to, something that cannot be taken for granted in talks between such partners of different sizes.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>With us, things also moved very swiftly after the initial contact had been established. A team from Diersch & Schr\u00f6der visited us and we presented our technology to them once again. At first we were more interested in a sales partnership. However, Diersch & Schr\u00f6der made it clear very early on that they were seeking a full-scale equity investment. We were in the first financing round at that time \u2013 but Diersch & Schr\u00f6der offered to acquire all the shares held by our previous investors.<\/p>\nWas that a reason to opt for Diersch & Schr\u00f6der?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>The decisive factor for us was that Diersch & Schr\u00f6der firmly believes in our technologies. In the second conversation between us and Diersch & Schr\u00f6der it was already clear to everyone how much potential this technology holds. Ultimately, one statement coming from Diersch & Schr\u00f6der family was of crucial importance:<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s the whole mentality. We are a comparatively small company, with a completely different organisational form and structures that have not yet grown to such an extent. Nevertheless, Diersch & Schr\u00f6der spoke to us eye to eye. That was impressive. It is not easy to dock onto such a large established company. Diersch & Schr\u00f6der has devoted a lot of time to make it as easy for us as possible. The personal commitment of the CEOs Henning Thiele and Jan Christiansen was a new experience for me. I was constantly looking for the catch, but there wasn\u2019t one. (laughs)[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#FFE600″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nWhat else was important to you about Diersch & Schr\u00f6der as a partner?<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>Above all else, we were looking for an experienced strategic partner from whose network, structures and know-how we can benefit. We needed a partner in the automotive sector in particular. Diersch & Schr\u00f6der as an investor wants to provide real help, support our business strategically and grow it. That\u2019s something else that cannot be taken for granted.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>Wir finden die hanseatische Unternehmenskultur toll. Diersch & Schr\u00f6der strahlt Vertrauen aus, wir hatten schnell das Gef\u00fchl, es mit \u201eachtbaren Kaufleuten\u201c zu tun zu haben. Wir sch\u00e4tzen diese verbindliche und ehrliche Art. Und dann das, was auch Herr Christiansen gerade sagte: Diersch & Schr\u00f6der sieht das ganze Unternehmen und die vielf\u00e4ltigen M\u00f6glichkeiten, nicht nur ihr eigenes Gesch\u00e4ftsfeld. Es geht um die Technologie, wie sie konkret im Bereich Mineral\u00f6l funktioniert, aber auch dar\u00fcber hinaus.<\/p>\nDo you have the sense that as a small, agile company you also have something to offer a large company in terms of culture?<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>For Diersch & Schr\u00f6der we are a catalyst when it comes to new start-ups. We can make direct contact with them and help them to integrate. We are a kind of link between the holding company and new investments in the Young Business sector because we share this experience. Diersch & Schr\u00f6der would like to continue investing in start-ups. Via us, the holding company is learning to respond to more agile structures and to find even better interfaces. In this way, we are shaping a new internal culture inside the DS Group. A culture that is more agile and relaxed and works more efficiently with start-ups.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/strong>I think Diersch & Schr\u00f6der benefits from our more dynamic mindset. We clearly notice that the employees think it\u2019s good for us to take a different approach. Working together broadens the horizons on both sides, I think.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nYou have retained a large part of your autonomy. Was that a condition for you to work with Diersch & Schr\u00f6der?<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>This was clear on both sides from the outset. Diersch & Schr\u00f6der knew from the get-go that the expertise held by our team constitutes our company\u2019s enterprise value. And this expertise can only unleash its full potential in an environment of great independence.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>We experienced the same thing. I would even go as far as to say that it was Diersch & Schr\u00f6der who imposed this condition on us. This is because it is primarily interested in ideas, visions and the people associated with them. And the ideas and visions are closely tied to the people and their scope for action. Innovation is precisely the reason for the investment \u2013 and without this autonomy it would be severely constrained. However, Diersch & Schr\u00f6der is an enormous help especially in accounting. We have outsourced these functions almost completely to DS Holding. This transparency is an advantage and requires trust on both sides. However, \u00a0this trust arose very quickly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat would you recommend to start-ups looking for investors and partners?<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>In my eyes it\u2019s never wrong to start exploring possibilities early on. And by doing so, you can adopt a very open-ended approach. Tell potential investors that you are still at a very early stage and that you do not know exactly if and when you will be needing an investor. The other question is this: What do I need the investor for? To survive? Does that mean I have to close shop if I can\u2019t find anybody? Or is it about expansion? For us it was the latter. And in that case, all I can say is: don\u2019t settle for the first caller And if a big investor cancels, ask him why. Ask for feedback.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Companies active in new technologies in particular often receive funding from the federal and state governments. However, these very helpful subsidies are linked to \u201cSME\u201d status. So you have to be careful not to lose this status through the admission of an investor. Start-ups should definitely think this through when they are looking for investors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n