2026-06-17 |
New impetus for the technologies of tomorrow – Hesse is bolstering its position as a research hub with €1.5 million a year
On 17 June 2026, the DECHEMA Research Institute (DFI) officially opened its new premises in Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe. Modern laboratory and office facilities have been built at Benzstraße 1–3, offering optimal conditions for cutting-edge research in the fields of hydrogen technologies, electrochemistry, high-performance materials and energy storage. The move from the previous Frankfurt site marks a significant milestone for the institute and for Hesse as a centre of research.
Hesse’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Kaweh Mansoori, opens the new DFI site in Bad Homburg.
Around 150 guests from the worlds of academia, industry and politics gathered for the opening ceremony. Hesse’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Kaweh Mansoori, representatives from industry and officials from the town of Bad Homburg highlighted the institute’s significance for the regional and national innovation landscape. The event featured keynote speeches, laboratory tours and a networking session that facilitated personal exchanges between researchers and partners.
Hesse’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Kaweh Mansoori, emphasised the strategic importance of the funding: “With the new site in Bad Homburg and the annual operating grant of 1.5 million euros from the State of Hesse, we are making a targeted investment in Hesse’s innovative strength. The DECHEMA Research Institute stands for application-oriented research and transfer that makes our industry fit for the future – from sustainable production processes and new materials to key technologies for the energy transition. This benefits science, business and society as a whole in Hesse.”
Keynote presentation during the opening ceremony.
The DFI’s focus is unique within the German research landscape, as it operates at the interface between chemical engineering and materials research. The opening event centred on seven scientific keynote presentations: ranging from material solutions for thermal energy storage systems and high-temperature lightweight construction for aircraft engines and alloys for fusion reactors, through hydrogen technologies, to technical electrosynthesis and electrochemical raw material recovery.
Mathias Galetz, Chairman of the Board of the DECHEMA Research Institute, explained: “Today marks a new beginning – for our institute and for applied research in Hesse. With the new laboratories in Bad Homburg and thanks to financial support from the state, we can conduct research even more efficiently and further expand our collaborations with universities and industry partners. Our research areas – ranging from hydrogen and electrochemistry to materials development and corrosion protection – are central to the future viability of our state.”
A close partnership: Mathias Galetz, Chair of the DFI Foundation, and Thomas Wurzel, Chief Technology Officer at Air Liquide (from left to right).
The industry also welcomed the new site as an important partner. In their speeches, Hans-Joachim Kohnke, Managing Director of Gaskatel GmbH, and Thomas Wurzel, Chief Technology Officer at Air Liquide, highlighted the close collaboration with the DFI and the high practical relevance of the research findings. Councillor Tobias Ottavani conveyed the congratulations of the town of Bad Homburg and emphasised the institute’s importance as an employer and a driver of innovation for the region.
A tour of the DFI’s new laboratory facilities.
The new premises offer state-of-the-art infrastructure for interdisciplinary research and technology transfer.
Pictures: © DFI
