Research and development (R&D) expenses in the Group amounted to approximately EUR 13,652 thousand (12,814) in 2023. On average, 133 (130) employees worked in R&D, which together contributed to a product novelty rate of all development sites of the Uzin Utz Group of 28.5% (34.0). The disciplinary management of the local R&D departments is the responsibility of the respective managing directors of the local companies. The central R&D headquarters in Ulm is responsible for the technical management and coordinates the guideline competence for a further 11 R&D laboratories (excluding the two locations of Uzin Utz Tools GmbH & Co. KG.) within the Uzin Utz Group worldwide. R&D expenses at Uzin Utz SE amounted to EUR 6,006 thousand (6,081) in 2023. In this context, the average of 57 (59) employees working in the SE achieved an SE novelty rate of 36.0% (53.1) for the Uzin brand in the reporting year 2023. Products with unprecedented or greatly improved properties whose marketing exploitation can be proven and which are not older than five years are classified as "new". The products developed by Uzin Utz SE at its main development site in Ulm have a Blue Angel /Emicode EC 1 Plus quota of 97.1% (98.2%) in relation to sales. This ratio again clearly underlines the sustainability efforts within the Uzin Utz Group. The R&D key figures of the Group in the tabular overview 2023 are as follows:

Description of the product range

The innovative strength of Uzin Utz SE is documented by the total of 14 (12) new products that were prepared for launch for the UZIN brand in 2023. The reporting year was characterized by the extensive work in the development departments of Uzin Utz to reduce the material usage rate. For the third year in a row, new developments and current innovation projects were delayed for this reason. For 2024, a pioneering generation of levelling compounds was developed using the newly developed UZIN FusionTec binder technology, which will enable the Europe-wide market launch of several new products in 2024. In addition to the flagship UZIN NC 580, this product family also includes UZIN NC 570. As a rule, cementitious levelling compounds dry quickly and reliably compared to gypsum levelling compounds, but in the worst-case scenario they require optimization in terms of dimensional stability for renovation purposes. In contrast, gypsum fillers have practically tension-free surfaces, but generally dry more slowly in poor climatic conditions, such as low temperatures and high humidity. The FusionTec products mentioned above combine the positive attributes of cement and gypsum fillers and set quickly and virtually crack-free, even in unfavorable construction site conditions. Based on the new range of fillers, it has thus been possible to combine the highest technical requirements, which are generally only met by cementitious products, with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) that is up to 39% lower than that of conventional cement fillers. As a result, Uzin Utz is not only increasingly providing products that conserve resources and the environment, but which are also largely label-free and therefore user-friendly for the craftsman. This success story in terms of sustainability is thus the logical continuation of the introduction of the Uzin Moisture Tolerant System, consisting of UZIN NC 161 and UZIN KE 25, reported in 2022.

The most important other Uzin Utz SE activities of the R&D departments in cooperation with cross-divisional departments and the cross-location investment laboratories of the Uzin Utz Group for the Uzin brand (excluding the Sursee site) are described below in a keyword overview table:

The most important activities of the other brand of the Uzin Utz umbrella brand are also described in key words below:

Arturo Products

Uzin Utz Nederland offers a high-quality product portfolio with the Arturo brand. These are synthetic resin floors that can be produced "on demand" and delivered promptly. Arturo flow coatings and sealers are available in almost all colors within three working days.