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North-Rhine Westphalian Economics Minister Garrelt Duin acknowledged the importance of chemical parks

CHEMPARK chemical park manager and operator Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG invested roughly EUR 1 billion at its three sites in Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen from 2008 to 2012. Investments totaling some EUR 250 million are planned for this year alone.

“We have been investing at a consistently high level, which is a good sign not only for Currenta, but also for the more than 70 companies with production operations at CHEMPARK. And future expenditures will continue at a high level similar to that for 2012. Our plans call for a total investment of up to EUR 500 million for the period 2013 - 2014. This leaves us well prepared for future challenges,” said Dr. Günter Hilken, Chairman of the Currenta Executive Board, at a press conference in Leverkusen on Friday, July 6, 2012. Also in attendance was Garrelt Duin, the new Minister of Economics, Energy, Industry, Small and Medium-Sized Businesses and Trades for the state of North-Rhine Westphalia.

“These investments are an impressive testament to the contribution chemical parks in North-Rhine Westphalia make to the state's prosperity,” said the Economics Minister. “Such sites must be upgraded constantly, because the entire region benefits from them in a wide variety of ways. I will support this with my political work,” continued Duin.

“Investments are essential if we are to continue doing business sustainably in the future,” Hilken added. “On the one hand, this requires the acceptance by society of the industry and investment projects. However, we also need competitive production conditions, particularly with respect to energy prices, as well as planning certainty when it comes to the approval of projects. We are in constant dialogue about this with politicians at the state, federal and European level. Our common aim is to establish the best-possible parameters for the industry. There is still room for improvement.”

Attractive conditions for CHEMPARK partners
This year the chemical park operator is investing roughly EUR 110 million in the energy field, EUR 70 million for environmental protection measures, EUR 30 million in infrastructure and EUR 40 million for other maintenance and repair projects at its sites.

“We want to offer the companies located at CHEMPARK optimal conditions for their respective business in this outstanding region for the chemical industry. That is our job as the CHEMPARK operator, and we are investing to create an attractive environment. Every euro that we spend here draws an investment of more than three euros from our CHEMPARK partners. Our ideas and concepts help us to ensure that the processes here at CHEMPARK run smoothly and our partners can further develop their strategic projects. But that's not all. New projects should also be developed, drawing additional investments to our sites in North-Rhine Westphalia. CURRENTA provides the framework for all of these processes,” said Hilken.

With its more than 70 partners, the CHEMPARK is the foundation of CURRENTA's business. Hilken also cited the geographic location of the CHEMPARK as one of the site's key advantages. If the Benelux chemical region is also included, the CHEMPARK is located at the heart of the world's leading chemical region.  Germany is the chemical industry's strongest sales market in the European Union. Within Germany, North-Rhine Westphalia accounts for one-third of all chemical industry sales, with CHEMPARK accounting for one-third of these.

Hilken also talked about the importance of chemical park operators. “All future Investments in new plants will be made in chemical parks. Nobody will build on greenfield sites anymore. I am therefore convinced that we are driving the sustainable development of the chemical industry in Germany with our business model,” said Hilken. Those things that enable long-term commercial success, contribute to the protection of the climate and the environment, secure jobs and ensure societal development are sustainable.  

About CURRENTA:
Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG is a joint venture between Bayer AG and LANXESS AG and operates CHEMPARK with its three German sites in Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen. With an overall surface area of 11 square kilometers, CHEMPARK is one of the largest chemical parks in Europe. With approximately 5,300 employees, including those of subsidiaries Chemion and TECTRION, CURRENTA provides ideal conditions for business for currently more than 70 companies with a variety of product networks and a comprehensive portfolio of services, CURRENT invests primarily in services and the available infrastructure, including such things as power plants, distribution grids, pipelines, sewers and port facilities, as well as roads, rail networks and security installations. Currenta also operates state-of-the-art facilities for the waste disposal and recycling, offers analytical services and is responsible for the training of more than 2,000 young people. Some of these services are also used by customers located outside CHEMPARK.