€18 million Henkel investment in Tallaght
By Maurice Garvey
HENKEL Ireland launched their new European hub for 3D Printing at their Tallaght site last week.
The Innovation and Interaction Centre was officially opened by Minister of State Damien English on Monday, June 25.
At the announcement in Henkel in Tallaght
The opening of the centre marks the first phase in a significant programme of building activity for the manufacturing giant, who expect at least 40 highly skilled staff to be permanently based at the hub, upon completion in 2020.
Henkel’s Additive Manufacturing project, which is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, is based on a 4-year investment plan with an estimated maximum spend of about €18million 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 a broad range of industrial manufacturing.
The site is the first in a new generation of industrial adhesives customer centres, and will become Henkel’s European regional hub for technology presentations, demonstrations, training, testing as well as customer service for 3D Printing solutions.
The centre was designed by So and So, and is equipped with Carbon and HP printers in addition to specialised Henkel equipment, technology and devices for additive manufacturing.
Significant manufacturing and R&D operation
Henkel, which also owns beauty care and laundry and home care divisions, is the world’s largest adhesives manufacturer, and in Dublin, has a significant manufacturing and R&D operation for a wide range of adhesive technologies, serving a global market.
Henkel say the 3D printing technology is evolving with high speed, along with growing interest in additive manufacturing processes from their customers.
Many companies use the technology primarily for visualisation and design prototypes.
However, a number of industry experts claim 3D printing will become a larger part of the general manufacturing process – reducing time and costs while enabling the production of customised products – from automotive to medical to footwear.
Henkel feel they are well-positioned to support this development via their extensive experience in industrial assembly.
Officiating at the opening event, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Damien English TD, said: “The opening of this new Additive Manufacturing centre of excellence further consolidates Henkel’s operations in Ireland where the company already employs 400 people across three sites.
“The company’s choice of Dublin for this European hub for 3D Printing technology is a clear endorsement of the innovation ecosystem in Ireland.
“We very much appreciate Henkel’s investment and the quality jobs being provided, which will help put Ireland at the forefront of a new and exciting chapter in manufacturing.”
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.”
