“The ICD marks the largest single investment in our company’s history and is a key element of our strategic framework for purposeful growth. With this building, we have created the infrastructure to take the innovation capabilities of adhesive technologies to the next level,” said Carsten Knobel, CEO, Henkel.

Built with an investment of euro 130-mn, and spread across 47,000-sqm, the ICD provides space for 30 laboratories with various research and testing facilities, four technology centres, pilot production lines and equipment for large-scale applications, such as for the automotive industry. In the new building, Hankel will work on solutions together with customers from over 800 industry segments.

Knobel said in 1922, Henkel started producing adhesives for its own use and now, the company has celebrated another milestone, which will further expand its adhesives business.
“The ICD reinforces our commitment to further strengthen our globally leading portfolio and knowhow in materials science and to create value for our customers,” said Jan-Dirk Auris, executive vice-president, Henkel Adhesive Technologies.

The ICD will enable close collaboration with customers and with external partners on novel future-oriented solutions. The focus is on sustainable innovations that contribute to, for example; CO2 reduction for our customers and to new solutions for a circular economy. The laboratories are modular and can be adapted depending on the research and development task and to support collaboration between teams. The building offers space for more than 650 employees from the areas of research and development, product development, application technology, technical service and innovation.

Henkel Adhesive Technologies supplies to more than 100,000 customers in over 800 industry segments with customised products and technologies used in a wide range of consumer and industrial goods.