Outstanding infrastructure and much space for new things

The most recent settlement success is the enterprise Innotech Solar. The Norwegian firm has invested a total oft 41 million euros in the Halle-Saalkreis Industrial Estate for construction of a production facility in which inefficient and defective solar cells are renewed through high-technology processes. Up to 80 jobs will be created in an initial phase, while more jobs shall be added in the further course. Decisive factors for the locational decision were not only the immediate proximity to the A 9 and A 14 motorways as well as the Halle/Leipzig Airport, but also the cooperation possibilities in the research and development sector. Contact with the Fraunhofer-Center für Silizium-Photovoltaik (CSP – Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics) is particularly important for the enterprise. The Halle-Saalkreis Industrial Estate came out on top against 26 international competitors. “Another 230 hectares are still available for additional settlements”, says Olaf Ungefroren from the Halle Trade and Industry Promotion organisation, and adds: “The technical site development with electricity, gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications complies with the highest requirements of industrial and technological productions. The area size, the flat area topography and basic technical supply conditions provide maximum flexibility of spatial divisions and arrangements.”

The same locational conditions are also found at the Osterweddingen Industrial Estate. The area is regarded as an economic beacon in Saxony-Anhalt. The roughly 50 enterprises located in the huge area on the outskirts of Magdeburg currently employ approximately 7,000 people. A broad-based sectoral mix provides additional synergies. The 300-hectare large industrial estate is nearly fully occupied. The developmental works for another 750 hectares are underway at the moment. “The project with investment costs of more than 17 million euros is currently the largest infrastructural project in Saxony-Anhalt“, explains Klaus-Dieter Theise, managing director of GSA-Grundstücksfonds. The enterprise develops and markets industrial and commercial areas on behalf of the State of Saxony-Anhalt and is also responsible for the Cochstedt Commercial Park, which is connected in the immediate north to the airport of the same name. Enterprises from the solar sector and aircraft industry have already settled in the 85-hectare large area in the vicinity of Magdeburg. “Potential investors also benefit from the outstanding infrastructure here, a feature which is characteristic of Saxony-Anhalt”, says Klaus-Dieter Theise.