HZB in Germany has existed since 2009. Its roots go much further into the past, given that HZB arose from the fusion of two older research institutions, the former Hahn-Meitner-Institut (est. 1959) and BESSY GmbH (est. 1979). With approximately 1,100 employees, HZB is now one of the largest non-university research centres in Berlin, and a member of the Helmholtz Association. HZB conducts research at two locations, in Wannsee and Adlershof.

Materials for a sustainable energy supply and operation of the electron storage ring BESSY II – those are the cornerstones of HZB and its research. Both of these fields complement each other, since questions arising from research continually drive the advancement of the experimental environment at BESSY II and vice versa; the possibilities that BESSY II offers accelerate energy research enormously.