#Germany #Innovation Center #Calderys #Neuwied

Calderys Unveils a New Innovation Center in Neuwied

Calderys, a prominent global leader in high-temperature solutions, has announced significant plans to build a state-of-the-art Innovation Center adjacent to its production facility in Neuwied, Germany. This strategic investment demonstrates the company's commitment to enhancing refractory solutions development for its sites and customers throughout the Europe and Middle East (EMEA) regions.

A Commitment to Innovation

The new center, covering a sprawling 3,000 square meters, will incorporate cutting-edge technology and advanced processes. Designed to support Calderys' core markets—including foundry, iron and steel, aluminum, and cement—the facility aims to tackle the pressing challenges of the green energy transition faced by customers in various industries. With the anticipated completion of construction by late 2025, this facility will serve as a crucial hub for research and development activities.

Leveraging Local Expertise

Situated in Neuwied, recognized as Calderys' largest production site in Europe, the center will benefit from Germany’s rich heritage in metallurgy and refractory technologies. The location allows for direct access to industrial trials, bolstering collaboration among Calderys' teams specifically in Innovation Technology, Quality Control, and Production. Additionally, its proximity to other Calderys facilities will facilitate shared knowledge regarding their processes for manufacturing monolithics, steel casting fluxes, and molding solutions.

To spearhead these initiatives, a diverse and experienced team of experts has already been assembled and further recruitment is planned. The center will also establish partnerships with academic institutions such as RWTH Aachen and the University of Koblenz, along with industry resources like the European Centre for Refractories (ECREF) and the FGF.

Infrastructure and Equipment

The Innovation Center is designed to host a variety of research and development activities, featuring fully equipped modular rooms that include essential infrastructure for air, water, dedusting, IT, and ventilation systems. Moreover, a showroom will be set up to showcase innovation work and results.

Leading-edge machinery will enable in-depth analyses of high-temperature properties, mineralogical composition, and chemical imaging, which will enhance in-house material characterization capabilities. These upgrades are aimed at bolstering quality control and research efficiency, ensuring customers receive top-tier products.

Joining a Global Network

This new facility will join Calderys' expanding global network of innovation centers, which includes one in the USA for the Americas and another in India catering to the APAC region. Additionally, Calderys is investing in the development of innovation capabilities at a new lab space of over 2,000 square meters located in Odisha, India, complementing its efforts to create a significant greenfield plant dedicated to refractories and steel casting fluxes.

Leadership Perspectives

Michel Cornelissen, President and CEO of Calderys, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion of R&D capabilities in the region: “The establishment of our Innovation Center marks a clear reflection of Calderys’ commitment to innovation and excellence in the refractory sector. We are specifically focusing on supporting the growth of our EMEA operations in Germany, where we hold five production sites, emphasizing our dedication to providing advanced solutions that cater to our customers' requirements during their energy transition.”

Bruno Touzo, Senior Vice President of Innovation Technology, reinforced the historic significance of this new investment: “Our deployment of the Neuwied R&D site represents a landmark for Calderys' future. As the momentum for green energy accelerates across EMEA, our customers are adapting to meet evolving environmental regulations. This new Innovation Center will enable us to closely collaborate with them, driving pioneering solutions to meet these challenges.”

About Calderys

Calderys stands as a leading global provider for industries requiring high-temperature solutions. With an expansive range of refractory products and advanced solutions in its portfolio, Calderys has a solid footprint in over 30 countries, enhanced by employing a team of 5,800 professionals. Headquartered in Paris, France, the company prides itself on over 150 years of experience, continuously supporting its customers through their energy transition needs, thereby maintaining a competitive edge in the refractory market.

For more information, visit Calderys.