Henkel, the world’s largest manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, is investing €18m in a new R&D centre for additive manufacturing focused on 3D printing in Dublin, Ireland.

The company already has a significant manufacturing and R&D operation that employs 400 people working in  700 sqm of laboratories, customer service offices, meeting rooms and 3D-printing facilities. Henkel plans to further expand the centre to 2,000 sqm to include five additional laboratories, workstations and meeting spaces over the next 2 years.

“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,” said Dr Michael Todd, Global Head of Innovation at Henkel Adhesive Technologies.

Henkel’s additive manufacturing project, which is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, is based on a four-year investment plan with an estimated maximum spend of about €18m to expand the company’s capabilities in R&D, application and product development. The company aims to support a team of highly skilled scientists and engineers who will develop new advanced materials for use in industrial manufacturing. The innovation and interaction centre is equipped with carbon and HP printers in addition to specialised Henkel equipment, technology and devices for additive manufacturing.

“Additive manufacturing will be of crucial importance globally, with its potential applications in industries such as healthcare and automotive. It presents a fantastic opportunity for Ireland to enhance our global reputation in R&D in novel technologies so that we continue to be at the heart of delivering innovative new products to market,” IDA Ireland executive director Mary Buckley said.