Quakenbrück. Now, over twenty-five years since the Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik (DIL – German Institute of Food Technologies) was founded in Quakenbrück, a new era is dawning for the internationally acknowledged research institute. On Wednesday 20 May 2009, the foundation stone of the extension at the institute will be laid in Prof.-von-Klitzing-Str. 7.

At 3 p.m. the ceremony starts opposite the present location. Guests and speakers of high standing from the fields of politics, business and science, as well as from among the population, have informed the Institute Director, Dr. Volker Heinz, of their intention to come. 'I am delighted that we are finally making a start. We have been working for this day for over two years now,' says the technology expert, sharing his thoughts about the event. 

In his opening speech, Dr. Reinhold Kassing, 1st District Councillor of the Rural District of Osnabrück and DIL Deputy Supervisory Board Chairman, will underline the importance of the research institute for the food industry. 

Mayor Reinhold Scholz sees the Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik (DIL) as a glowing beacon for Artland. 'Alongside its great importance as an employer, the DIL also   serves as an excellent ambassador for Artland,' he said, underlining its special significance for the region, too.

County Councillor Albert Focke (Vechta) would certainly not hesitate to agree with him, for he has entitled his speech: 'Food production – the pillar of north-west Lower Saxony'. 

Representing the field of research, Professor Friedrich Meuser, of the Technical University Berlin, will address the global challenges and their significance for the development of international research-co-operation projects. As the DIL is in overall charge of the European Excellence Network “HighTech Europe”, it will certainly play an important role in this regard.

Prof. Ernst H. Reimerdes, DIL Supervisory Board Chairman, will briefly explain why the extension is so necessary when he presents the institute's strategy for the future: from now until 2015.

It will then be the task of Hans-Heinrich Ehlen, the Lower Saxony Minister for Nutrition, Agriculture, Consumer Protection and Land Development, to lay the foundation stone. During the past few months, the minister and the state government have created the financial preconditions for the 15 million euro investment. The funds will be provided from the Second Economic Package and by the Land of Lower Saxony.

'We hope that we shall be able to occupy the first rooms in the coming year. Local craftsmen will do their utmost to achieve this goal,' says Dr. Heinz confidently. 'In this way, our growth will also be helping the domestic labour market to come through the current crisis well and to secure both employment and jobs.' 

After the foundation stone has been laid, Dr. Heinz and Professor Erhard Mielenhausen, the President of Osnabrück Technical College, will sign a co-operation agreement to foster closer collaboration between the two research institutes. Projects are already being carried out jointly, as in the field of biotechnology. The DIL offers corresponding research projects to students studying for their diplomas and doctorates.

Dr. Heinz cordially invites residents of Artland to attend this event, which holds so much promise for the future.