The European Center for Dispersion Technologies (EZD) in Selb is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Since it began operating, the EZD has been able to establish itself as an important development partner for industry in the fields of paints, varnishes and adhesives, and has also expanded its expertise. This event was taken as an opportunity to organize a press conference with political representatives: On September 27, 2024, State Secretary Martin Schöffel, Member of the Landtag Peter Berek and the Lord Mayor of the City of Selb Ulrich Pötzsch visited the EZD in Selb. Martin Bastian and EZD site manager Felipe Wolff Fabris were present on behalf of the SKZ.

Dr.-Ing. Felipe Wolff Fabris (site manager EZD), State Secretary Martin Schöffel, Member of the Landtag, District Administrator Peter Berek, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Bastian (Chairman of the Board of SKZ) and Ulrich Pötzsch (Lord Mayor of the City of Selb) in the EZD coating laboratory (from left). (Photo: EZD)

EZD invited to a press conference with politicians on the occasion of its 10th anniversary

The EZD is a flagship project in Upper Franconia that was established by Germany's largest plastics institute, the Kunststoff-Zentrum SKZ (SKZ Plastics Center), headquartered in Würzburg, in close cooperation with industry and with considerable support from the Free State of Bavaria. The original idea for the establishment came from several companies in the region. District Administrator Peter Berek (CSU) described the project as a “wake-up call” for the entire region and was impressed by the development of the EZD: “The EZD was established through a great political effort on the part of our home region, in particular our member of parliament and current state secretary Martin Schöffel. This shows us that it is worth standing up for our home region – even with ideas that may seem far-fetched at first.” The Lord Mayor of the City of Selb, Ulrich Pötzsch (Aktive Bürger Selb), described the establishment of the EZD as an important milestone in the city's history and for many companies in Selb and beyond the city limits. “After many years of monostructure, Selb is now also making a name for itself in the field of science and research, to which the EZD and its range of services are an excellent match,” said Pötzsch.

EZD as a high-performance center with a major impact on the region
The EZD acts as an industry-oriented point of contact where companies without their own development capacity can turn to test new ideas, train employees and optimize internal company processes. And it is precisely this transfer from science to industry that Rainer Ludwig, Member of the Bavarian Landtag (Free Voters), is extremely impressed by. In his welcoming address, he called the EZD a high-performance center with a great deal of appeal far beyond the region. “I am firmly convinced that the EZD will continue to set standards and achieve significant progress in technology development in the future. The EZD in Selb thus remains a shining example of excellence in research and development,” said Rainer Ludwig.

Service provider for the domestic economy
Since it began operating in May 2014, the EZD team has already processed more than 1,100 research orders and trained more than 600 participants in the context of training courses. As a result, many companies are benefiting from EZD – both in the region and throughout Europe. State Secretary Martin Schöffel (CSU), who has been a key supporter of the EZD project from the outset, describes it as a “dream come true”. MdL Martin Schöffel continues: “The EZD is a unique research institute in Europe that deals with dispersions, surfaces and modern materials. The best thing about it is that it works as a service provider for the local economy, but also for companies throughout Bavaria, Germany and Europe in an industry-oriented manner. In doing so, real developments will be advanced here - in collaboration with the local economy.”

Better competitiveness for companies
At the end of the press conference, all participants agreed: the EZD has developed excellently over the last ten years. And: the journey is not over yet. “The EZD team will continue to support companies in the development and application of innovative inks, paints, adhesives and coating systems with its know-how and equipment. In this way, EZD is helping industry to bring more innovative products to market and thus become more competitive,” emphasizes EZD site manager Dr. Wolff Fabris at the end of the conversation. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Bastian, CEO of SKZ in Würzburg, praises the trusting relationship that has developed in all directions over the last ten years. ”EZD is a success story and a flagship project in Upper Franconia. We are proud to be a part of it and to be able to continue to support this location in the future."

Learn more about EZD