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.