Hygiena® Diagnostics GmbH, a global leader in food safety and environmental testing systems and part of the EW Group, is officially breaking ground on its new headquarters for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and its “Center of Excellence” for Molecular Diagnostics, located in the Ludwigsfelde industrial area “An der Eichspitze.”
Following the land acquisition and the expected building permit, the groundbreaking in July marks the start of a major investment project in the region. The new facility will serve as a manufacturing hub for EMEA customers, supporting global growth and creating highly skilled jobs. In addition, it provides Hygiena with a globally diversified manufacturing footprint, helping ensure the supply of mission-critical products amid shifting political and macroeconomic conditions.
The Ludwigsfelde site will serve as a central hub for distribution, production, and research & development activities in the EMEA region. The 35,000-square-meter site will include:
- Innovative production areas
- State-of-the-art laboratories for R&D and application studies
- Modern office space
- Technical Service and Repair Center
- Modern distribution center enabling cost-effective delivery to all EMEA customers
Approximately 150 employees will eventually work at the site, contributing to PCR diagnostics, ATP hygiene monitoring, and the development of innovative new products.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project. The facility will feature energy-efficient infrastructure including on-site power generation, cooling water circulation systems, and heat recovery technologies. Digitalization, resource conservation, and e-mobility are also key priorities. Its strategic location, just 30 kilometers south of Berlin, provides access to a dynamic talent pool within the region’s expanding biotech and life sciences cluster. This proximity supports recruitment across R&D, engineering, production, and operations.
“We are not just constructing a building—we are shaping the future of food safety diagnostics in the EMEA region,” said Rainer Horneburg, VP Operations EMEA at Hygiena. “This Center of Excellence represents our long-term commitment to scientific innovation, sustainability, and people-first design.”
Construction work will begin in mid-2025 with groundworks and the structural shell. The technical building will be constructed first, followed by the warehouse and production facility. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027.
“We are pleased to welcome another high-tech company from the biotechnology sector to Ludwigsfelde,” said Mayor Andreas Igel. “This investment highlights the attractiveness of our city as a center for innovation and economic development.”
