Anhalt University of Applied Sciences sees itself as an innovative and transfer-oriented university. Through close research cooperation with regional and national Economics, the latest findings are promptly transferred into practice in a problem- and company-specific manner. This not only strengthens the companies, but also promotes the socio-economic development of the entire region.
In the area of food science, the focus in the past has been on establishing efficient laboratories and pilot plants in Bernburg and Köthen for teaching and research for specific product groups (e.g. meat and sausage products, delicatessen, milk and dairy products, wine, beer).
As Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is one of the 10 most research-active universities in Germany and is in second place in eastern Germany when it comes to attracting funding, the idea of a research building that takes a holistic approach to combining the expertise and know-how of different areas under the umbrella of an interdisciplinary "Research Center for Sustainable Food Production(InFonaL)" matured.
In 2021, the first foundation stone for "InFonaL" was laid with the application for funding for the new research building as part of the "Research buildings at universities" funding program. The acquisition of funding from the federal government (Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space) and the state of Saxony-Anhalt in the amount of 36.45 million euros in 2022 made it possible to tackle the new building under the leadership of the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Construction and Property Management.
After extensive planning and initial construction work, the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony for the research center at its future location in Köthen (Hubertus) took place on 20.10.2025.
Numerous guests from politics, Economics and science as well as the authorities and companies involved in the implementation witnessed how, among others, the President of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Jörg Bagdahn and the Minister for Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann, took up the spade and symbolically heralded the next stage of the construction project. The aim is to complete the façade by the end of 2026 and finish the interior work by December 2027 so that the "Research Center for Sustainable Food Production" can start work in 2028.
The InFonaL research building is intended to contribute to the development of sustainable, innovative and functional food products that are resource-,CO2- and energy-efficient and offer high added value. Various pilot plants and laboratories are being designed for this purpose. This will ensure that all stages of food production can be mapped on a small technical scale - from conventional and alternative raw materials (e.g. plant-based protein carriers, algae) and raw material side streams through to marketable foods. All of this is intended to help implement the nutrition and climate targets and establish Saxony-Anhalt as an innovative research location.
The Center of Food Science and Engineering (CFSE), which is currently based in Bernburg, will be located there in the future and will then have access to good research conditions in both the laboratory and pilot plant areas. This will make it possible, for example, to test prototype pilot plants for food production on an industrial scale in a specially designed technical center, which will open up new potential for future cooperation with the food industry and food machinery construction.
