Janusz Chmiel is born in Poland, Krakow. He studied foundry technology at the "Bergwerk & Huetten Akademie" in Krakow. From 1985 to 2000 he lived in Berlin and worked as a foundry engineer followed by an Assistant Professor position at the Technical University in Berlin for material science and mechanical engineering. Right now he is a co-owner of Metimpex, a company that delivers goods to the polish metal industry.