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Specialized space for industrial innovation from The European Science Park Group
ESPG AG – European Science Park Group – is one of the first German real estate companies to specialize in the ownership, management and acquisition of science parks. Image credit: UfaBizPhoto/Shutterstock.com A science park is a concept that originated in the USA and has already developed into its own asset class in the UK and other European countries. The core idea is to provide science and technology-oriented companies with areas that meet their needs and to support them in their growth. Science parks are usually located in close proximity to universities, clinics and top-class research institutions and often reflect the specialist focus...
Specialized space for industrial innovation from The European Science Park Group
ESPG AG – European Science Park Group – is one of the first German real estate companies to specialize in the ownership, management and acquisition of science parks.
Photo credit: UfaBizPhoto/Shutterstock.com
A science park is a concept that originated in the USA and has already developed into its own asset class in Great Britain and other European countries. The core idea is to provide science and technology-oriented companies with areas that meet their needs and to support them in their growth. Science parks are usually located in close proximity to universities, clinics and top-class research institutions and often reflect the specialist focus of these academic institutions. This also creates synergies between the companies based in the same science park, which promotes the establishment and expansion of networks.
ESPG currently holds 16 commercial properties across Europe with a total rentable area of more than 126,000 square meters and a balance sheet value of around 250 million euros. Around 81% of the company's current portfolio (measured by market value) is already classified as Science Parks, where ESPG provides tailor-made spaces in attractive locations for industry-leading research, development and production, creating a perfect environment for tenants and their employees.
In the current portfolio, 34% of tenants belong to the life sciences industry, 16% focus on “green” technologies and 31% work in digitalization. Azenta Life Sciences GmbH operates one of the largest bio-storage facilities in Europe in an ESPG property in Hesse, in which several million tissue samples are stored at temperatures of up to minus 180 degrees Celsius. Nuvisan Analytical Services GmbH – a global leader in early-stage clinical trials – operates one of only three testing facilities approved by the US Food and Drug Association on the ESPG site in Neu-Ulm. An example of green technologies is Krantz GmbH, which develops and tests air ducting, heating and cooling systems for ceiling and facade installation as well as clean room systems in the Engineering Park Aachen, another ESPG property.
The ESPG management team consists of Dr. Ralf Nöcker, Daniel L. Grosch and Markus Drews. They will present the company, previously called Diok RealEstate AG, to the professional world for the first time on September 28, 2022 at the world conference of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) in Seville, Spain.
Our science parks provide space for innovation where our tenants can establish themselves, network and benefit from the expertise of others, which in turn accelerates technological breakthroughs. Not only the tenants benefit from this concept, but also all other stakeholders who have invested in science parks. As owners, we expect attractive returns and a stable, long-term tenant base. We also ensure that our company meets the increasingly important ESG criteria and that our buildings become more and more energy efficient.”
ESPG board member Dr. Ralf Nöcker
The three board members want to use their extensive experience in real estate, innovative technologies and financing to develop ESPG into a market leader and thought leader for the new asset class of science parks.
Due to ESPG's strong shareholder base, which includes investors managed by Alvarium Investments as well as other international private investors, the company can continue to grow in the current economic situation and market phase. In addition, the company has extensive outside capital, made possible by long-standing relationships with banks and capital partners.
Board member Markus Drews adds: "Our existing spaces, including the Munich Aero Park 49 and the Campteq Innovation Campus near Darmstadt, are already rented to more than 60 top-class tenants from sectors such as life sciences and green technologies, Nuvisan, SAP, ABB and Siemens. We now want to expand our portfolio even faster, not only in terms of the number of properties, but also in terms of the number of properties Diversity of disciplines involved. It’s exciting for us at ESPG to see our tenants thrive and succeed with innovation, supported by our facilities.”
The close cooperation with our financing partners from the banking and capital market worlds will continue. ESPG is ideally positioned to master future challenges together with our new group of shareholders.
Daniel Grosch, CEO and founder of the predecessor company ESPG
"Our properties also benefit society as they promote employment stability and regional development by attracting both national and international organizations. We are very happy to support the concept of science parks and see this new asset class as a viable investment for the future," concludes Arndt Krienen, Chairman of the ESPG Supervisory Board.