Germany's €230M Nutrition Research Hub to Open by Autumn 2028

A major new research facility for nutrition and food science is set to be built in Kiel. The Max Rubner Institute (MRI) has awarded Hochtief a €230 million contract to design, construct, and operate the site. The project will bring together multiple existing MRI locations under one roof by autumn 2028.

The 65,000-square-foot facility will sit next to Kiel University. It replaces or merges three current MRI research sites—Husum, Cuxhaven, and Bremerhaven—alongside the existing centres in Kiel and Hamburg. This consolidation aims to streamline operations and improve collaboration.

Germany's Federal Institute for Real Estate (BImA) tendered the project as a public-private partnership (PPP). Hochtief will handle the entire lifecycle of the building, from design and construction to 30 years of maintenance and operation. The total contract value covers all phases, ensuring long-term management of the facility.

Work is expected to finish by autumn 2028. Once complete, the new MRI Kiel will become a central hub for food and nutrition research in northern Germany.

The project marks a significant investment in German research infrastructure. By combining multiple MRI locations into one modern facility, the institute aims to enhance efficiency and scientific output. The 30-year operation agreement ensures sustained support for the site's long-term goals.