Interview with Maria Salman

Hello, my name is Maria Salman, born and raised in Pakistan. After graduating as a chemical engineer, I worked for oil and gas development companies for several years. I realized that I wanted to do more, specifically explore new and challenging opportunities. Therefore, I decided to quit my job and pursue my master’s degree in Chemical and Process Engineering at FH Münster University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

How did it all start at DESPRAY for you?
It was an opportunity I received through the Smart Solutions Lab project, in which DESPRAY was involved as an industrial collaboration partner. From September until November 2025, we worked with DESPRAY during this project and presented the final data as a Smart Solutions Lab group to Eelco Osse. From December 2025 until now, May 2026, I have been working officially at DESPRAY on two important issues and challenges: how we can make the re-captured gases cleaner and capture/separate them better from the air suctions points before this ventilated air is released into the atmosphere during aerosol recycling process. The goal was therefore to develop and improve the capture and separation process. The other major challenge was to optimize the captured gases and develop a ready-made solution for renewable energy in DESPRAY’s own production facility. And we succeeded!

And… would you call your time here a success?
First of all, I would like to mention Robin, my mentor. I have learned a lot from him and it was great to work together, hold discussions and find solutions. I’m very proud of what we have achieved in such a short time. Not only have we found good answers, but even more importantly, those solutions have already been implemented and are working! I focused on the chemical processes, but I also had to do a lot of reading and learning by delving into the expertise in the field of mechanical engineering to get the full picture.

Did you make a big mistake while working here?
Not a big mistake, but I made one anyway. When I received an offer for equipment, I was very happy with the investment costs. But after I told Robin how excited I was, he said: “Have you looked at page 2 yet? And page 3?” It turned out that I thought the entire investment was listed on page 1, but the price kept rising on the following pages, so we had to turn down the offer.

What does a typical day at the office look like for you?
I start with a cup of coffee… because I have to travel about 2.5 hours by train to get here, so that is the first thing I do. I check my to-do list and try to get everything done before the end of the day. Of course, I work at the computer, but you can also often find me in the production facility. I prepare the testing phase of the ideas, consult with colleagues, and so on. For me, every day was a good day.

What’s your favorite activity after working and studying?
Oh, that’s easy. On weekends, I try to see as much as possible and travel by train throughout Germany and the Netherlands. I’ve already seen a lot since I’ve been here, and it’s also nice to watch movies and relax with other students, just hanging out on the couch.

What makes you happy?
I consider myself a positive and open person, and I think I have made the right decisions so far. It has led me down a very fascinating path, and I hope to maintain that same attitude to see what else there is to discover.

What’s it like to be here in Europe and your family in Pakistan?
It wasn’t easy for my mother to let me go and pursue my dreams, but I’m fortunate to have the support of my family. Yes, we live far apart now and that is of course a challenge. But we still stay in touch a lot, and if there is something important or a special day to celebrate at home, I participate as best I can from here. I plan to finally go home for a while this year as well and I’m really looking forward to that.

How do you see your future?
I’m very enthusiastic about that. Learn more, see more, do more. I am on the right track and also want to discover what else there is to know about recycling, renewable energy, and sustainability. So, I think I have a bright future ahead of me.

Some famous last words?
I have had a fantastic time at DESPRAY; it was incredibly fun and a great opportunity for me. Many thanks to everyone I had the privilege of working with. Since this is my last week at DESPRAY and Machinefabriek Boessenkool, I will certainly miss the people, the challenges, and the work environment, but who knows… maybe I will return to DESPRAY in the future as Chemical Engineer and Process Optimization Specialist after graduating…

Maria, thank you for your time, this interview, and good luck with your career.