History
1956 to 2006
In 2006, GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH celebrated its 50th anniversary
The Gesellschaft für Kernenergieverwertung in Schiffbau und Schifffahrt (GKSS) was founded in 1956 as Germany's first large-scale research facility. The main project from 1960 onwards was the construction of the nuclear-powered freighter "Otto Hahn". The GKSS developed into a modern, interdisciplinary scientific institution of the Helmholtz Association. The focus later became coastal and materials research. From their findings, the researchers developed concrete options for present and future use - following the GKSS claim: "knowledge creates use".
Brochure "50 years GKSS-Forschungszentrum" [german]
Aerial view of the research reactor plant, which has been shut down since 2010. The research reactor has been in the post-operational phase since July 1, 2010. Photo: Hereon/ Burkhard Kuhn
2010
The shutdown of the FRG-1 research reactor and new perspectives for materials research
After more than 50 successful years, the FRG-1 research reactor at the GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht was finally officially shut down at a celebratory colloquium on June 28, 2010. At the same time, GKSS founded the "German Engineering Materials Science Center" and thus continued its materials research with the help of neutron and synchrotron radiation at FRM-2 in Munich and at DESY in Hamburg.
Press release [german]
2010
The GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht gives itself a new name
From November 1, 2010, it was called " Helmholtz - Zentrum Geesthacht - Centre for Materials and Coastal Research GmbH."
The new name showed the connection with the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers and the city of Geesthacht. The addition of the two conceptual pillars of materials research and coastal research also summarized the research topics.
2021
Renamed Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
On March 31, 2021, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon - Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung GmbH was renamed Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH. With this new name and a new logo, the research center expresses its current mission and organizational structure with its sites and field offices.
Press release