The East German Chemical and Refining Pact was signed today in a joint effort by politicians, industry representatives, employees, and labor unions—a commitment to the industrial roots and future prospects of East German chemical and refining sites.
The signatories—Michael Richter, Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry of the State of Saxony-Anhalt; Nora Schmidt-Kesseler, Executive Director of the Northeast Chemical Industry Employers’ Association (Arbeitgeberverband Nordostchemie e.V.) and the Northeast Regional Association of the German Chemical Industry Association (Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V.); Stephanie Albrecht-Suliak, Regional Director of the IGBCE Northeast Regional Branch; and Prof. Dr. Christian Küchen, Managing Director of the Fuels and Energy Industry Association (Wirtschaftsverband Fuels und Energie e.V.) and en2x – are sending an important joint signal.
Michael Richter, Minister of Economic Affairs of the State of Saxony-Anhalt: “The chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as the refining sector, account for approximately two-fifths of total industrial turnover in Saxony-Anhalt and, due to the diverse intermediate inputs they provide to other industrial sectors, form an important foundation of industrial value creation in our state. However, we are at a critical juncture, particularly due to high energy and transformation costs, and this extends beyond Saxony-Anhalt. Action must now be taken at the federal level to secure the competitiveness of our chemical industry, to enable investment and innovation, and to preserve jobs.”
Nora Schmidt-Kesseler, Managing Director of the German Chemical Industry Association, Northeast Regional Association, and the Northeast Chemical Industry Employers’ Association: “The chemical and pharmaceutical industry and the refining sector are of fundamental importance for industrial value creation, prosperity, and economic resilience in our state. Thousands of well-paid industrial jobs and entire value chains are at stake in Saxony-Anhalt. Especially in the current situation, additional geopolitical pressures such as the Middle East conflict are further intensifying the strain on energy supplies, raw materials, and supply chains. The joint Chemical and Refining Pact demonstrates that business, employers, unions, and policymakers are taking joint responsibility to secure industrial strength, supply security, and well-paid jobs in Saxony-Anhalt.”
Prof. Dr. Christian Küchen, CEO; Wirtschaftsverband Fuels und Energie e.V., en2x: “Refineries represent a resilient energy supply and ensure the supply of raw materials to chemical production facilities. Traditionally, they have been closely linked to the chemical industry. This also applies to the Leuna refinery in the East German Chemical Triangle. Currently, companies in this region are suffering from difficult competitive conditions. This must change so that the sites can be preserved and the transition to low-carbon refinery products can succeed. We are pleased that the state government of Saxony-Anhalt is supporting our industries in creating better framework conditions.”
Stephanie Albrecht-Suliak, Regional Director; IGBCE Northeast Regional Branch: “The chemical industry is the backbone of manufacturing and a key location factor for eastern Germany. Good jobs, worker participation, and collective bargaining security are closely linked to its success. That is why we must now work together to lay the groundwork for its turnaround, rather than lamenting its decline. This will only work with swift and decisive political action: reliable framework conditions for industrial production and employment, a dependable and affordable energy supply, and a reform of the EU Emissions Trading System. Employees and social partners in the chemical industry are ready to cooperate and bring their extensive expertise to the table.”
The Chemical and Refining Pact for Eastern Germany encompasses the following common objectives and makes demands on the federal government:
- Securing employment and industrial value creation in Eastern Germany
- Strengthen resilience and preserve value chains
- Ensuring a reliable energy supply and competitive transition pathways
- Integrating climate policy and competitiveness
- Efficient planning and permitting procedures and systematic
- reduction of bureaucracy
Source: Ministry of Economy, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry