March 22, 2024 – BYK will be constructing a cutting-edge laboratory building at its site in Wesel. The aim is to generate new innovations together with customers and for customers in End use labs. Besides this, the new building will make integrated seminar and function rooms available for the numerous visits by customers. BYK Division President Dr. Jörg Hinnerwisch elucidates: “BYK is networked with its customers worldwide and, with this innovative laboratory complex, it will be creating space for effective communication as well as for developments and cooperation with our customers and distributors. At the same time, the new building will offer us more opportunities for our exclusive on-site seminars that are so much in demand.”

In addition to the commercial purpose, BYK is paying special attention to the sustainable use of green energy and low carbon in the construction of the new test center, which will run on 100 percent renewable energy and will be powered entirely by heat pumps and photovoltaic systems. "In terms of sustainability, future protection and ecology, we wanted to equip this building and the nearby laboratory building with heat recovery and meet the entire energy needs of this new innovative building with 100% renewable energy," says Dr. Jörg Hinnerwisch. "In addition to this, sustainable materials will be used throughout the project.

An old laboratory building will make way for the approximately 47 x 18 x 14.5 meters construction with a total area of 5,100 square meters so that it can be fully integrated into the existing structure at the BYK campus in Wesel. BYK Marketing & Commercial Managing Director Dr. Stefan Mößmer: “This will be of especial benefit to our customers who seek to develop their project solutions here on site with BYK experts. It was therefore logical to plan a further story where we will soon be able to host customer events, visits, and seminars. At around 25 million euros construction costs, a particular intention of the innovation complex is to provide modern, state-of-the-art laboratories for the BYK end uses while at the same time allowing more breathing space for existing end use, applications labs, and R&D facilities.”

BYK estimates a total project implementation period of around four years. Completion is envisaged in the second quarter of 2028.

Not long ago, the Altana Group released its annual report for 2023, and Biker Chemical's sales revenue was 1.208 billion euros, which was 12% lower than the previous year. However, this does not deter Altana Group and Byke Chemical from increasing investment, Altana CEO Martin Babilas said, "2023 is a challenging year, but also a year in which we bravely seize opportunities." During the year, we made strategic acquisitions, further expanded our research and development program, made significant investments in our factories, and advanced our digital efforts. In doing so, we set the course for the future. 2023 will be a valuable year for Altana."