Opening of the large-scale expansion of Fraunhofer IME by Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst

Symbolic opening ceremony: Prof. Axel Müller-Groeling, Prof. Tanja Schwerdtle, Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst, Tatjana Sikuljak, Prof. Christoph Schäfers (from left) © Fraunhofer IME | Klaus-Peter Kappest

Dr. Harald Seulberger, Prof. Tanja Schwerdtle, Prof. Axel Müller-Groeling, Burkhard König, Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst, Tatjana Sikuljak, Prof. Christoph Schäfers (from left) © Fraunhofer IME | Klaus-Peter Kappest

© Fraunhofer IME | Klaus-Peter Kappest

© Fraunhofer IME | Klaus-Peter Kappest

The Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME in Schmallenberg welcomed guests from politics, business, and science to the ceremonial opening of the new laboratory building next to numerous other guests, including Minister President Hendrik Wüst MdL and Prof. Dr. Axel Müller-Groeling, Board Member for Research Infrastructures and Digitalization of the Fraunhofer Society.

On June 1, 2023, after a 10-year planning and construction period, the 6,000 sqm large laboratory building in Schmallenberg-Grafschaft was officially opened.

Prof. Dr. Christoph Schäfers, head of Fraunhofer IME at the Schmallenberg site, was able to welcome numerous guests from politics, business, and science, as well as friends and staff of the institute, and present the new building to them.
In his speech, he expressed gratitude for the support from the Fraunhofer Society in Munich and the trusting cooperation with partners from research, industry, science, and regulatory authorities. He also especially thanked the uncomplicated support from the city of Schmallenberg and the funding providers, primarily the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The institute was particularly pleased that the highest representative of North Rhine-Westphalia, Minister President Hendrik Wüst, came to Schmallenberg and delivered a greeting. Minister President Hendrik Wüst said: "We want to make our country the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe. Our most important tools for this transformation are research, innovations, and their transfer into practice. In Southwestphalia, this can be observed at many locations – for example, at Fraunhofer IME. The institute has been enriching the research landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia for many years and continues to do so today in a decisive way. It shows: growth and a healthy environment are not mutually exclusive. In Schmallenberg, innovative research helps, among other things, to recognize and minimize environmental risks proactively. The opening of the new laboratory building rewards a joint effort. I wish all researchers much success in their work in the new lab."

Prof. Dr. Axel Müller-Groeling, Board Member for Research Infrastructures and Digitalization, brought a special commendation from the Fraunhofer Society in Munich and thanked the institute and its staff for their excellent research work.

Prof. Dr. Tanja Schwerdtle, Vice President of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), sent a message on behalf of both the BfR and the Federal Environment Agency: She highlighted the very good, trusting cooperation with Fraunhofer IME.

Tatjana Sikuljak, Vice President of Regulatory Science – Agricultural Solutions at BASF SE, represented the industry in her speech, for which the Schmallenberg institute is a permanently reliable partner.

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Rüdiger, Rector of RWTH Aachen University, sent a digital greeting as a representative of the universities, which offer numerous courses in collaboration with the institute. He certifies that Fraunhofer IME, with its state-of-the-art new laboratory, is keeping pace with the technological standards of research.

Following a symbolic opening ceremony, the building was officially inaugurated, and representatives of IME guided guests through some laboratory rooms, which are hopefully to be put into operation soon after the completion of final work.