Matthews International Corporation announced the official opening of its new Development Centre at its Vreden site. With over 1,000 square metres of floor space, the state-of-the-art Development Centre will focus on industrial process optimisation, technological innovation and the development of sustainable solutions for the future.
With the new Development Centre, Matthews Engineering, part of the Matthews Industrial Technologies segment, is specifically strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading suppliers and system architects of technologically sophisticated production systems with a focus on rotary manufacturing processes and roll solutions for a wide range of web-based materials. The activities are bundled under the Matthews Engineering brand, which stands for high-precision, intelligent mechanical engineering concepts within the group – especially for the coating and converting industries and in the field of new energies.
The company is significantly expanding its development and testing capacities, combining state-of-the-art laboratory and simulation environments with flexibly configurable test areas – ideal conditions for the practical optimisation of existing processes and the development of forward-looking technologies.
Technology meets practice: simulation centre for industrial processes
The laboratory and process simulation centre forms the heart of the new Development Centre. Here, innovative production processes are developed, digitally simulated and tested under realistic conditions for feasibility, scalability and efficiency – for rapid transfer to industrial application. The focus is on rotary processes and web-shaped materials, such as those used in the manufacture of technical membranes, films, battery electrodes and components for fuel cells.
The flexibly designed laboratory areas can be tailored to specific research requirements. Partitionable test areas on the first floor provide space for a wide variety of pilot-scale test setups. The application-oriented hall on the ground floor will house the latest generation of rotary process and calender technology from Matthews Engineering on an actual industrial scale for the energy storage sector, setting a new industry standard for research and industrial innovation.
The facilities are complemented by sophisticated, individually configurable laboratory equipment, including the GK300L laboratory calender, which offers versatile testing options with its compression, embossing, laminating and coating functions and allows scalable processes in the battery sector to be reproduced. Modern development offices and an integrated maker workshop with state-of-the-art 3D printing and prototyping technology round off the technical environment. Such methods provide valuable impetus for research and development, particularly when it comes to the rapid implementation of industrial applications.
Cross-location collaboration creates innovation ecosystem
The new Development Centre fits seamlessly into Matthews’ global innovation network. In conjunction with existing development and testing sites in the region, including Bocholt – with specialised dry rooms and test facilities for high-precision coating technologies – this creates a powerful innovation ecosystem. Close cooperation with industry partners, companies and research institutions is an integral part of the development strategy. Last but not least, Matthews is regularly involved in publicly funded, pioneering research projects in the field of renewable energies.
“Our strength lies in the seamless transition from development to application. In Vreden, we create solutions that are not only technologically leading, but also precisely tailored to real-world requirements,” emphasises Thomas Hackfort, Senior Vice President, Design & Development, Matthews Engineering.
Impetus for the location and global industrial transformation
With the opening in Vreden, Matthews is clearly positioning itself as a long-term driver of innovation in the region with a global reach. The new centre combines theory and practice while offering an attractive environment for skilled workers, engineers and scientists.
“The new Development Centre is a clear commitment to the future of Matthews Engineering and to our valued customers. It is a place where ideas are turned into market-ready innovations – and where we actively shape the transformation of industrial processes together with our partners,” explains Brandon Babe, President, Matthews Engineering.
With this investment, Matthews is underscoring its ongoing commitment to technological excellence, the close link between research and application, and its role as an innovator in industrial solutions for the energy transition and beyond.
Caption: Matthews International’s new Development Centre at its Vreden site was officially opened with a ceremony.