Historical milestones
1999 - 2003
- In 1996, the idea to create technology to accelerate synthesis, screening, and evaluation of catalysts was developed by Prof. Ferdi Schüth. The first prototype of a catalyst test unit was built.
- In 1998, the first patent was filed.
- hte was founded on March 26, 1999 and started its operation in June.
- The first site expansion was completed in 2001 (building A2).
- In 2003, BASF Venture Capital GmbH made capital investments in hte allowing hte to further develop its Technology.
2004 - 2008
- Second site expansion in 2007 (building A3).
- In February 2007, hte had 100 employees.
- BASF increased its stake in hte in 2008.
- Broad range of industrial experts in catalysis.
2009 - 2013
- 200 employees working at hte in July 2012.
- hte nominated for the German Future Prize 2010.
- hte won the STEP Award 2011.
- hte reached the final of the German Industry's Innovation Award in 2013.
- Further expansion of hte's facilities in 2012 (building D2) and 2013 (building B4).
2014 - 2018
- BASF opened a new testing and research laboratory for FCC catalysts in 2014 at hte's facilities.
- hte and SABIC signed an MoU to fast-track R&D.
- In 2016, the HetCatLab, an early phase material science lab for BASF, was established at hte employing postdocs.
- More than 300 employees working at hte since 2018.