Translating chemistry to impact
Baker Kuehl is co-founder and CEO of SABER Chemical, where he leads commercialization of breakthrough compostable polymers for the asphalt and packaging industries. He brings a unique blend of academic research, entrepreneurial execution, and industry collaboration.
Academic Background
Baker holds a BS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. As a postdoctoral researcher, he helped develop bio-based impact modifiers and polymer blends for both flexible packaging and infrastructure applications.
Leadership & Commercialization
At SABER, Baker has led the development of proprietary core-shell impact modifiers, built supply chain relationships, and secured competitive funding from NSF and state agencies. He’s listed on two issued patents and eight pending applications and has presented widely at ACS, AIChE, and SPE conferences.
Mentorship & Service
Baker has mentored more than 20 undergraduate students and several graduate researchers in sustainable polymers. He also leads K-12 STEM outreach and serves as a reviewer for journals like Macromolecules and Polymer.
Fun Facts
Baker enjoys road biking, mentoring startups, and is a skilled scientific communicator who thrives at the interface of lab-scale innovation and commercial-scale deployment.