Kiel to Host Germany's New €230M Nutrition and Food Science Hub by 2028

A major new research centre for nutrition and food science is coming to Kiel. Hochtief has won a €230 million contract to build and run the facility for the next 30 years. The project will bring together existing MRI sites from across northern Germany under one roof.

The 65,000-square-foot facility will sit next to Kiel University and serve as the new headquarters for the Max Rubner Institute (MRI). Currently, the institute operates five research locations: Kiel, Hamburg, Kulmbach in Bavaria, Oldenburg in Lower Saxony, Detmold in North Rhine-Westphalia, and Halle an der Saale in Saxony-Anhalt. Consolidating the northern sites into this single centre will streamline operations and expand research capacity.

Hochtief's role extends beyond construction. The company will handle the design, operation, and long-term maintenance of the building. CEO Juan Santamaría highlighted the project's significance, noting it would reinforce Hochtief's presence in the health and biopharma sectors. He also stressed its contribution to Germany's standing as a leader in scientific research.

Work is set to finish by autumn 2028, with the facility then fully operational for MRI's research teams.

Once completed, the new MRI centre will become a key hub for food and nutrition news in Germany. The €230 million investment covers three decades of operation, ensuring long-term support for scientific advancements. Hochtief's involvement marks a major step in modernising the country's research infrastructure.