Clariant Breaks Ground on $130 Million Facility
Swiss chemical company Clariant recently broke ground on its new, nearly 400,000-square-foot Clariant Innovation Center at the Industriepark Höchst in Frankfurt, Germany.
Clariant is the maker of Exolit OP flame-retardant products.
The new facility will house an innovation office and lab where approximately 500 researchers will be employed, as well as the company’s new business development, intellectual-property management and patent departments.
The open-plan, 100 million euro (approximately $130 million) space was designed by German architecture firm HPP to “enhance chemical research and development of application-specific laboratories and technical marketing functions for different business units.”
“Innovation is the foundation of the future, both for individual companies and society as a whole,” said Clariant Executive Committee member Christian Kohlpaintner, who oversees research and development. “I hope that the bright and transparent rooms will not only be the birthplace for new ideas that flourish and grow but also provide the environment for an inspiring exchange between our researchers and technicians, as well as with their partners in the fields of science and industry.”
Kohlpaintner said Clariant has set a goal to focus on “mega trends,” such as functional materials, energy efficiency and renewable raw materials.
The Frankfurt location was chosen to provide access to R&D resources, said Ulrich Ott, managing director of Clariant’s operations in Germany.
“We have selected Höchst as the location because it already provides a maximum of research-and-development resources, including technical schools and institutions of higher education,” Ott said. “In addition, Frankfurt offers a number of infrastructure advantages, such as an attractive industry park, the proximity to various business partners and universities, as well as excellent connections to the transportation network.” —A.A.N.
