While Heidelberg hasn't technically been involved in the newspaper and heatset segment since it sold the evolved former Harris Web business to Goss International in 2004, never say "never".

And this week it was congratulated by Greens German state science minister Theresia Bauer on its reinvention.

The company launched new development centre project at its Walldorf site, where about 1000 people will work in "the world's most state-of-the-art research facility for the printing industry" by 2018.

Heidelberg is investing 50 million Euros ($71.2 million) in the new innovation hub to create a top competence centre for the 400 billion Euros (and rising) printing industry.

Among Heidelberg's acquired competencies since 2004 - when it bowed out of newspapers with cash and a 15 per cent shareholding in Goss - is digital printing in all its forms, and Bauer is pictured inspecting digital print technology (with research head Frank Kropp and equipment board member Stephan Plenz). Its next product could be just the thing print newspapers need.

Chief executive Rainer Hundsdörfer says a "highly modern and future-oriented working environment" will be created in Wiesloch-Walldorf, designed to support interdisciplinary and cross-functional development processes. He stressed that despite the difficult economic situation in recent years, the company at no time cut its research budget, focusing instead on developing new, innovative products and services.

"The printing industry now requires new applications and control technologies," he said. "Alongside traditional offset printing, digital printing will also be part of the future and ensure that the sector enjoys continued growth. Digital 4D printing also underscores this trend."

A further indication of Heidelberg's transformation is that it now has more than 250 software specialists working at the site, and has also started employing chemists.

"The example of Heidelberg is demonstrating that even a large company can reinvent itself," Bauer said.