By Business & Finance 
Dr Michael Todd, Global Head of Innovation at Henkel Adhesive Technologies and Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Damien English TD (Photo: Robbie Reynolds)
Today, Henkel Ireland announced the opening of its new Innovation and Interaction Centre for additive manufacturing (3D printing) in Tallaght.
This will be Henkel’s European regional hub for technology presentations, demonstrations, training, testing as well as customer service for 3D printing solutions.
Henkel’s Ireland operations
Henkel is the world’s largest manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. In Dublin it has mass manufacturing and R&D operations for a wide range of adhesive technologies across the globe.
The company also owns beauty care and laundry and home care divisions.
Supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland, Henkel’s Additive Manufacturing project is based on a four-year plan is expected to have a maximum spend of €18 million in expanding R&D, application and product development in Ireland.
This investment sees the organisation committing itself to Ireland while supporting highly-skilled scientists and engineers who will develop new advanced materials in the industrial manufacturing sector.
(Photo: kaboompics on Pixabay)
Strategic partnerships and the new innovation centre
Henkel is driving the participation in the rapidly-growing market for additive manufacturing through its strategic partnerships.
Two further regional centres are also currently in development – one in Rocky Hill in North America and another in the Asian market for Shanghai.
Speaking at the opening of the Innovation and Interaction Centre, Dr Michael Todd, Global Head of Innovation at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, said:
The opening of the Innovation and Interaction Centre strengthens Henkel’s operations in Ireland and will bring customers and strategic partners to what is now an extremely important European regional hub for the business. Additive manufacturing has the potential to change value chains and businesses across many industries. As such, Henkel is convinced that this is the market to get involved with next. Henkel’s Tallaght site was chosen as the regional hub for Europe due to the existing team’s leading R&D knowledge and experience in resins and other adhesive technologies; and because of the site’s proximity to Henkel Ireland’s production and R&D bases.
The Innovation and Interaction Centre comprises 700sqm of laboratories, customer service offices, meeting rooms and 3D printing facilities. Henkel will look to expand on this to 2,000sqm and include five additional laboratories, workstations and meeting spaces over the next two years.
Henkel Technology Centre Director, Dr Matthew Holloway, said:
Additive Manufacturing will be a significant disruptor to future manufacturing methodologies. The decision to locate this centre in Dublin demonstrates Henkel’s commitment to Ireland and cements its position as a vital European hub for the global business. At Henkel Ireland, we have a proven track record of developing world-class adhesives and, as such, we look forward to focusing our expertise on creating new chemistries and technologies for 3D Printing. In addition, the cluster of leading med-tech, aerospace and other industries using 3D printing, made Ireland a natural choice to create a regional hub for Europe.
Equipment included in the centre are Carbon and HP printers in addition to Henkel’s specialised equipment.
