At the end of June, work began on the construction of a new laboratory hall for the "LaNDER³" research project (Lusatian natural fibre composites: decentralized energy, raw materials, resources, recycling) at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The research hall is being built in Zittau at Hochwaldstraße 14 under the project management of the Bautzen branch of the Staatsbetrieb Sächsisches Immobilien- und Baumanagement (SIB). With the strategic partnership "Lusatian Natural Fiber Composites: Decentralized Energy, Raw Materials, Resources and Recycling" (LaNDER³), funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, in cooperation with primarily regionally active companies, is making a contribution to the sustainable and economical use of renewable raw materials. The research activities focus on natural fiber-reinforced plastics (NFRP) and their entire product life cycle. Engineers, scientists and computer scientists work closely together. The new laboratory hall, which also offers space for investments in new equipment and technologies, will enable the work at the university to be better networked in terms of space and offer partner companies new opportunities. Completion of the hall is scheduled for the end of January 2019. The total construction costs amount to around 1.46 million euros. This construction project is being financed with tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the members of the Saxon state parliament. The detached, single-storey existing hall without a basement was demolished in January/February 2018 to clear the construction site.

In line with the "LaNDER³" research project, emphasis was also placed on the use of local raw materials when selecting the materials for the hall. The supporting structure of the hall is formed by wooden columns with softwood glulam solid wall trusses that span the entire width of the hall. The dimensions of the new building are around 35.90 x 17.40 meters in plan and around 7.60 meters in height. The outer walls are constructed with insulated timber frame elements. A flat pitched gable roof with external drainage forms the upper end. The hall is designed on two levels. The laboratory equipment is installed on the lower level. This includes ribolyzers, hydrolyzers, scrubbers and dryers. A barrier-free toilet facility will also be located on the first floor. The office space and the necessary building services will be located on a second level (upper floor). Due to the high technical requirements, a new transformer and district heating connection station will be built to supply the hall.