With an investment of 130 million euros, the Henkel Adhesive Technologies business unit has built a state of the art and unique global innovation and customer centre – the Inspiration Centre Düsseldorf (ICD).
With a floor area of 47,000m2, the ICD provides space for 30 laboratories, 4 technology centres and more than 650 Henkel experts. At the same time, the new building serves as a global customer centre where Adhesive Technologies presents its entire technology portfolio of adhesives, sealants and functional coatings and works on new solutions together with customers from over 800 industry segments.
“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, which is unique in the industry, we have created the infrastructure to take the innovation capabilities of Adhesive Technologies to the next level,” said Carsten Knobel, CEO at Henkel AG & Co KGaA. “In 1922, Henkel started producing adhesives for its own use – today we are very proud to celebrate another milestone in the 100 year success story of Adhesive Technologies, which will further expand our leading position in the adhesives business.”
With the ICD, Henkel has designed a unique innovation building. On a total of seven levels, in addition to office workplaces and conference rooms, it comprises 30 laboratories with various research and testing facilities, as well as four technology centres with double height rooms that house, among other things, pilot production lines and equipment for large-scale applications such as in the automotive industry or for engineered wood. The laboratories are modular and can be adapted quickly and flexibly depending on the research and development task and to support collaboration between teams.
The ICD also has a modern, data-driven laboratory where new formulations are automatically prepared, tested and verified around the clock. This enables a faster product development cycle and reduced time to market for new products by transforming data into valuable insights that lay the foundation for innovative new technologies.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
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