Magdeburg/Wittenberg. State Premier Sven Schulze visited SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH in Lutherstadt Wittenberg today alongside EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen. Discussions with management, a tour of the facility, and a press conference made it clear that the site exemplifies the connection between agriculture, industry, and European policy.
Clear Expectations for Europe and the Federal Government Three
points were at the center of the discussion: the future of fertilizer production, fair competitive conditions for energy-intensive industries, and practical guidelines for agriculture.
- SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH plays a central role in supplying the agricultural sector and thus in ensuring food security in Europe.
- High energy prices and rising CO₂ costs are putting ammonia production under considerable pressure.
- Fertilizer requirements must be practical and enable innovation rather than hinder it.
- Technologies such as CO₂ utilization (CCU) and efficient fertilization systems are part of the solution for climate and environmental protection.
Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister-President Sven Schulze: “We need clear political decisions now: Emissions trading must be structured in a way that ensures competitiveness and keeps industrial production in Europe. If production moves elsewhere, it helps neither the climate nor our supply. At the same time, we must finally place greater emphasis on innovation. Technologies such as CO₂ utilization and efficient fertilizer systems are part of the solution—they must be politically supported and specifically promoted.”
EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen: “Maintaining a strong fertilizer production sector in Europe is crucial for our food security, our competitiveness, and our sovereignty. The EU urgently needs a stable energy supply and long-term investments to preserve Europe’s fertilizer production capacities. This requires coordinated action at all levels. The European Commission is committed to expanding the production of low-carbon fertilizers, securing long-term investments, and improving market transparency. It will present the Fertilizer Action Plan this spring to strengthen fertilizer production in the EU and support farmers. In the run-up to this, we are hosting a high-level dialogue on Monday, April 13, with all stakeholders in the fertilizer supply chain to gather input on the issues at hand and discuss possible pathways for the Fertilizer Action Plan.”
Petr Cingr, CEO of SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH: “Many thanks to Commissioner Hansen and Minister-President Schulze for listening to the difficult challenges faced by a systemically important company. Our appeal to policymakers at the federal and EU levels is clear and unambiguous: All initiatives that jeopardize the competitiveness of the EU economy must be stopped immediately. These include the reform of the ETS benchmarks, the planned abolition of free CO2 allowances, and the reform of the Methane Regulation. We cannot bear any further burdens.”
Attachment: Photo (Source: State Chancellery of Saxony-Anhalt / Doreen Ritzau)
From left: SKW Piesteritz Managing Director Carsten Franzke, SKW Piesteritz Managing Director Petr Cingr, Prime Minister Sven Schulze, EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen, SKW Piesteritz Managing Director Antje Bittner, Minister Michael Richter
Source: State Chancellery and Ministry of Culture of Saxony-Anhalt