German rubber institute in Euro3.6M expansion

Hanover, Germany -- The German Institute for Rubber Technology (DIK, Deutsche Institut für Kautschuktechnologie) officially opened a Euro 3.6-million extension to its technical centre on 2 Nov.

The move almost doubles the floor space available, adding 120 m² to the existing 1300 m², in the form of an 80-m-long two-storey extension to the existing unit, according to a 2 Nov press release from the ADK, the German rubber industry employers' association.

The official opening involved over 150 guests, including Dr Volker Schmidt, chief executive of ADK, Prof. Dr Ulrich Giese, executive DIK board, Jörg Bode, the Minister of Lower Saxony, Stefan Weil, the Lord Mayor of Hannover, and Rainer Lorey, with the architectural firm Lorey which designed the extension.

Mayor Weil referred to the close relationship between Hanover and the tyre industry, saying: "I am particularly pleased that our investment will benefit from this research location and the local company."

The DIK employs 55 chemists, physicists, engineers and technicians performing research on a top international level, the ADK statement said, adding that it has conducted more than 15 000 research projects from around the world in the past two decades. In addition to numerous articles, essays, papers and books, the DIK produced more than 70 promotions.

The expansion was financed primarily by the ADK, which contrbuted Euro 2.1 million, the Lower Saxony and Hanover regional government, Euro 800 000 and Euro 200 000, respectively, with the balance coming from the DIK.

"The DIK enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence as a research organisation for our industry. It also provides for the training of employees in our industry and ensures the competitiveness of our businesses," said Schmidt, during the official opening.