DSM Composite Resins announces a strategic partnership with the Fraunhofer
Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) in Pfinztal, near Karlsruhe in Germany.
This partnership will allow both parties to jointly develop new composite
technologies and applications in the field of automotive and advanced
composites.
In scope of this collaboration DSM plans to relocate a core team of experts
from its Ludwigshafen unit into new offices at a technology park in Karlsruhe,
close to the ICT ensuring an even stronger presence at key customers with the
ability to deliver fast on new innovations.
Next to this partnership DSM Composite Resins will concentrate R&D
capabilities in the company’s main R&D centre in Zwolle, The Netherlands, to
strengthen its innovation power. As a consequence DSM plans to stop operations
at the Ludwigshafen site by end of 2009.
“We are very excited, that DSM has decided to form this partnership
with us, as we are proud to be able to work with the number one in the
composite resins industry” says Prof. Frank Henning, Deputy Director of
the Fraunhofer ICT. “We value the personnel’s expertise and high
level of commitment by DSM, therefore we would like to welcome DSM.”
“With Fraunhofer ICT’s proficiency and leading position in research
and development in composites we have found the ideal partner for joint
applications and processes in automotive and other composite markets,”
says Dr. Michael Effing, President DSM Composite Resins, “This
partnership makes a significant contribution to DSM’s long-term commitment to
focus on innovative and sustainable products and to composite solutions based
on our customers’ needs.”
About Fraunhofer ICT
The Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical
Technology (ICT) belongs to the Fraunhofer Society. With approximately 15,000
employees, Fraunhofer is the largest organisation for applied research in
Germany.
In Pfinztal ICT employs around 450 people who are working in the following
research areas:
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Automotive and transport industry
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Defence, security, safety, air and space technology
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Energy and environment
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Chemistry and pharmaceutics
Light-weight construction and increased functionality of materials are key
research topics in the department for Polymer Engineering, directed by Prof.
Frank Henning. Prof. Henning is also head of the newly-founded Karlsruhe
Innovation Cluster “KITe hyLITE – Technologies for Hybrid Light-Weight
Construction” and the Competence Centre for Light-Weight Automotive
Construction. The research services range from conceptual design through
material, process and product development to the manufacture of prototypes.
