Central German chemicals business parks viewed as being a model of success
Paul Kriegelsteiner, Director of the Chemieverbände Nordost (Chemicals Association, North East), thinks that the idea of developing chemicals business parks in Saxony-Anhalt, which originated twenty years ago during very tough times, was a stroke of genius. Today, the model is copied all over the world. This idea is a reality in the P-D ChemiePark Bitterfeld-Wolfen GmbH as well as in the other site-management companies in central Germany in Leuna (InfraLeuna), Schkopau/Böhlen (Dow Value Park), Zeitz (Infra Zeitz service company) and Schwarzheide (BASF Schwarzheide GmbH). "We get visitors from all over the world almost every week," reports Gabriel. "The chemicals business parks in central Germany are a model of success," explains the manager, who is also speaker of the Chemicals Business Park network.
Many countries are now starting to copy the central German model of the chemicals business park. He goes on to explain how they have had the best conditions for making this idea a reality. The key element in the restructuring of traditional locations for the chemicals industry is the question of the clearing of contaminated sites. At the locations for the chemicals industry in central Germany, it was the German federal government that stepped in as the legal heir to the previous state owned chemicals works. This meant that the site-management companies were able to market land and properties at attractive prices, explains Gabriel. This is an important condition for the rise of the chemicals business parks in central Germany to symbols and pioneers in the global restructuring process of the chemicals industry.
Gabriel explains how the basic idea behind the chemicals business parks was that the operators of the chemicals business parks make an attractive economic basis to all of the companies at their locations. In addition to providing land and property ready for immediate use, this includes an infrastructure which is oriented to the production of chemicals. A wide-ranging service offering is also made available to the investors. The 59 year old explains how this also includes professional services in the area of settlement and dealing with the authorities. All of the necessary auxiliary processes are provided professionally by third parties. The services primarily include supply of steam, water and energy, systems planning, analysis, fire and property protection, waste disposal, location logistics and public relations. This concept has proven to be a magnet for investors. Since the mid 1990s, more than 600 companies have settled in six different locations. Over 17 billion Euros have been invested and 27,000 jobs have been created. The chemicals business parks stretch over 5,500 hectares, 500 of which are immediately available industrial locations ready to be developed.
"The chemicals locations in Saxony-Anhalt are the most flexible and modern in the world," highlights Gabriel, who has now been manager of the P-D ChemiePark Bitterfeld Wolfen GmbH for ten years. The success is down to the social and industrial changes that started over 20 years ago. The dynamism and flexibility that resulted have turned out to be advantages in terms of the international competition to this day. "We have to keep these advantages as long as we can," he demands. "If we do, we will be well prepared for the future." The Bitterfeld-Wolfen chemicals park not only boasts regenerated areas, the latest production systems, an excellent road, rail and pipeline network, it also has islands of greenery. This adds a new dimension to the name ChemiePark, explains Gabriel's boss, Managing Partner Jürgen Preiss-Daimler.
Despite all of their commonalities each of the six chemicals business parks have their own attributes. This applies to Bitterfeld-Wolfen just as much as it does to Leuna, Zeitz, Schkopau, Böhlen and Schwarzheide. "Despite all of the location's unique features, we market the chemicals region as a single unit." This approach has proven to be a master stroke. You can't find it anywhere else, explains Gabriel. In this context the chemicals business parks of central Germany will be attending the leading international sector meet – the 'Achema 2012' in Frankfurt am Main in June, where they won't just be proving their capabilities, but also appealing to investors together.
According to Gabriel, this year, four foreign companies have already decided to locate in the Bitterfeld-Wolfen location, with its strong traditions. A fifth has expressed interest. As in previous years, the investment levels are running into the three figure millions. German companies would also make investments on a similar scale.
Contact:
P-D ChemiePark Bitterfeld Wolfen GmbH
Matthias Gabriel
Zörbiger Straße 22
06794 Bitterfeld-Wolfen
ph: +49 3493 72488
E-Mail: chemiepark-gmbh@tpnet.de
Web: www.chemiepark.de