Foundation stone laid for new research center in Giessen: 76 million euros!

Foundation stone laid for new research center in Giessen: 76 million euros!

On June 6, 2025, the foundation stone was laid for the new research building “Gießen Center for Electrochemical Materials Research” (GC-ElMaR) at the Justus Liebig University of Giessen (JLU). This important project is being built on the Natural and Life Sciences Campus at Seltersberg and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. The total costs of the new building amount to around 76 million euros, of which around 65 million euros are construction costs and around 11 million euros are equipment costs.

Funding for the project comes from various sources. The state of Hesse is contributing around 40 million euros, while the Heureka program is providing around 32.5 million euros. In addition, 7.5 million euros from the Justus Liebig University and around 30 million euros from the federal government will flow into the project. This includes both construction and equipment costs. The new building will be built in the immediate vicinity of existing chemistry and physics facilities.

Aim and significance of the research center

A central goal of the “Gießen Center for Electrochemical Materials Research” is to promote electrochemical materials research. In particular, the focus is on battery research. Numerous high-ranking representatives took part in the laying of the foundation stone, including the Hessian Science Minister Timon Gremmels and the President of the JLU, Prof. Dr. Catherine Lorenz. Thomas Platte, director of the Hesse State Office for Construction and Real Estate, emphasized the immense importance of the new building for research into battery materials.

The research center's modern laboratory infrastructure is intended to enable work at extremely low temperatures and thus promote interdisciplinary research approaches. This is seen as crucial for innovative developments in the field of battery technology.

Cluster of Excellence POLiS and its expansion

In the context of battery research, the battery research network POLiS (Post Lithium Storage) is of great importance, which will be funded as a cluster of excellence from 2026 to 2032. The cluster, which was founded in 2018, specializes in the development of innovative battery materials and storage technologies. Responsible scientists such as Professor Birgit Esser, Professor Helmut Ehrenberg and Professor Jürgen Janek lead this important project. The goal of POLiS is to develop lithium-free, safe and sustainable batteries.

In the coming funding period, the focus will be on the realization of full cells and the interactions between battery components. Sustainability is the focus of research, including life cycle analyses. Partners in the project include the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the Justus Liebig University of Giessen, the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg and the Helmholtz Center Berlin.

Context and future outlook

Another success for KIT are the two successfully submitted applications for the “Cluster of Excellence” funding line, including POLiS and the 3DMM2O project, which deals with 3D printing technologies. In total, the clusters will each receive up to 70 million euros for a funding period of seven years. This success strengthens KIT's chances of receiving the title of university of excellence, which could further consolidate Germany's position in the international scientific landscape.

The continued focus on electrochemical energy storage is crucial for the energy transition, and the developments of the clusters of excellence will have a lasting impact on the German battery landscape. The excellence strategy of the federal and state governments aims to promote research excellence at German universities and to provide between 3 and 10 million euros annually. These measures make a decisive contribution to strengthening Germany as a science location.