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:

• Automotive and transport industry
• Defence, security, safety, air and space technology
• Energy and environment
• 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.