Institute for Surface Technology – HIT
Your partner for the iHIT Solution Engine

Since its foundation in 2017, the HIT Institute for Surface Technology has been working on the transformation of chemical materials development towards digital laboratory processes. At the heart of its work is a state-of-the-art automation system for high-throughput formulations, which is used in particular for coatings, printing inks and adhesives. In combination with powerful data management and methods of artificial intelligence and machine learning, HIT is paving the way for digital chemistry.

Particular emphasis is placed on the development and application of intelligent experimental design, the modelling of material behaviour, and the integration of laboratory automation into research and development processes. These approaches enable significantly accelerated product development whilst also providing deeper insights into the mechanisms of action of complex material systems.

As a central hub for the chemical industry in the region, the HIT connects stakeholders across the entire value chain, from raw material suppliers to users of formulated materials. Furthermore, the institute has a strong supra-regional network for the technical implementation of digitalisation. Its cooperation partners include small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large corporations and specialist service providers in the fields of laboratory automation and machine learning.

As a university institute, the HIT is closely integrated with teaching education. Numerous projects are supported by Bachelor’s and Master’s students as well as PhD candidates. As a result, current issues from applied research flow directly into the apprenticeship and shape a modern and practical orientation in teaching education. In this way, the HIT trains precisely the kind of digital chemists that industry is increasingly seeking.

The D-NL-HIT project invites partners from the paint, coatings and adhesives industries in the German-Dutch border region to utilise cutting-edge solutions for the development of their next-generation products. By combining chemical and other specialist knowledge from the fields of surface science, automation and machine learning, the partners in the D-NL-HIT project can make full use of the latest technologies. The project partners receive financial support from the INTERREG V A programme to promote innovative solutions, develop products and build strong, interactive German-Dutch networks.

The Hochschule Niederrhein is the lead partner, supporting the project partners with both expertise across multiple fields and service capabilities. Through our D-NL-HIT Open Innovation Hub and active Field Labs, we can play an active role in preparing our region for a sustainable future through these developments and foster strong collaboration through bilateral and multilateral alliances across the entire region.