Henkel today laid the corner stone for the new global innovation center of its Adhesive Technologies business at the company’s headquarters in Düsseldorf. The company invests more than 130 million euros to erect a state-of-the-art building. Once completed, the facility will allow more than 350 Henkel experts to develop new technologies and applications for a variety of industries. The building will also serve as a global customer center, where Henkel will present new solutions for adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. The opening of the innovation center is planned for the end of 2020.
“Innovations are an integral part of our corporate strategy. They drive our growth. That is why we are making this targeted investment in innovation and growth,” said Henkel CEO Hans Van Bylen at the foundation stone ceremony. “This particular investment is also a strong commitment to our hometown, Düsseldorf, which is one of our largest research, development and production sites worldwide.”
The seven-story innovation center will feature numerous labs, research and testing facilities, office space and conference rooms spread out over an area of about 50,000 square meters. The building will represent all technologies the business unit offers globally under one roof. Following its planned completion at the end of 2020, more than 350 employees from the Research and Development, Product Development, Application Technology, Technical Service and Innovation areas will move into the innovation center. These employees all currently work in different buildings across the Düsseldorf site. Thanks to its modular design, the innovation center will also allow for future growth.
In addition to research and product development, the new building will additionally integrate a modern customer center and offer an inspiring environment in which customers from all over the world will be able to experience first-hand the innovative and technological leadership of Adhesive Technologies in various fields of application. They will get the chance to talk to experts and test new applications there. At the same time, the innovation center will be closely connected to Adhesive Technologies’ global development and application centers all over the world to facilitate customized solutions based on global technologies for local markets.
Henkel Adhesive Technologies is leading with high-impact solutions in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings worldwide. The business unit serves around 130,000 customers in over 800 industrial areas with tailor-made products and technologies used in a wide array of consumer goods and industrial products. Approximately 26,000 employees work for the business unit, including about 8.000 technical specialists who collaborate closely with customers all over the world to make cars lighter, electronics more powerful or food packaging safer. Innovations are a strategic priority, representing about 30 percent of Adhesive Technologies’ annual sales.