PlasmaChem moves HQ and opens new research facilities in Berlin-Adlershof

PlasmaChem GmbH, a nanotechnology firm involved in nanomaterials, plasma- and ultra-thin film technologies, and their biomedical and technical applications, has announced the moving of its headquarters to the science and technology park in Berlin-Adlershof.

The Berlin-Adlershof location will be responsible mainly for research on cardiovascular stents, novel nanomaterials, contact lenses and analytical tools for nanotechnology. The head office is expected to employ five highly qualified scientists at the onset and PlasmaChem will invest around 1 million euros in equipment and facilities at the location. The company’s general manager and principal owner, Dr. Alexey Kalachev, who founded the company in 1993, is the author of more than 100 papers and patents and has spent over 15 years in the Russian Academy of Science working in these areas. In 2003 the company had revenues of more than 2 million euros.

PlasmaChem has close ties to Humboldt University of Berlin and is its partner in several critical R&D initiatives. Furthermore, the universities and research centers in the region provide an excellent pool of graduates. “In fact, it was the close relationship between PlasmaChem and Humboldt University’s Physics faculty, especially Prof. Dr. Jürgen P. Rabe’s department, which provides world-class research in surface- and nanotechnology, that was among the key drivers for the decision to move to Berlin-Adlershof,” said Dr. Kalachev.

PlasmaChem was assisted by Ms. Lisa Marie Benz at the Berlin Business Development Corporation GmbH and the IIC GmbH in areas such as site selection, business planning and human resources. Deciding factors for the Berlin-Adlershof location included proximity to leading R&D facilities and universities, and the premier location in Germany’s capital. Philipp Kunze, senior manager at the IIC and project lead for PlasmaChem said, “We are very pleased to welcome another company involved in nanotechnology to the region. It further strengthens corporate and research activities in nanotechnology in eastern Germany, which already has more than 220 companies, universities and research institutions involved in it. It also underscores the importance of Berlin as a leading nanotech industry cluster in Germany and in Europe at large.”

The IIC, a consulting firm focusing on eastern Germany, offers free-of-charge investment advice and project management services for all industry sectors. Its mission is to actively and continuously identify business opportunities in eastern Germany for international investors. Services include providing assistance in areas such as location assessments and site visits, partner identification, financial incentives advising, resourcing human capital, and overall project management. The IIC has offices in Berlin (HQ), Washington D.C., Detroit, San Francisco and Tokyo and has helped to bring 94 (to date) international investors to eastern Germany. For more information, please visit www.iic.de.

Contact

Philipp Kunze, +49 30 2094 5653, kunze(at)iic.de

Rupali Steinmeyer, +49 30 2094 5668, steinmeyer(at)iic.de

Pressemitteilung IIC, 24.05.04