Jochen Schofer

Wacker Chemie AG breaks ground on new production facility in the Czech Republic Munich, Germany – Wacker Chemie AG strengthens its focus on silicone specialties in Europe with the construction of a new production site. The chemical company, together with project partners and officials representing the city and the region, broke ground symbolically in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. From the end of 2025, WACKER will produce room-temperature curing high-performance silicones and from 2028 high consistency silicone rubber in Karlovy Vary. These silicones are used in key technologies such as electromobility, health and medical care and in grid expansion. The investment volume is in the low triple-digit million-euro range. 200 new jobs will be created in the first expansion phase. With the construction of a new site for silicone specialties, the WACKER Group is once again expanding its position as a solution provider for customers in key industries. “Karlovy Vary will be a new and important pillar for our silicone activities in Europe and will strengthen our position as a leading manufacturer of silicone specialties. With today’s groundbreaking ceremony we’ve achieved our first milestone,” said Executive Board member Dr. Christian Kirsten addressing guests from politics and business. “Our silicone rubber grades are in demand in all key growth markets. As an expert in silicones, we can offer precisely the solutions that our customers need to develop innovative products and technologies,” stated Kirsten. Customized silicone elastomers are especially needed where conventional materials cannot or can no longer meet the high and ever-increasing requirements. The main drivers are megatrends such as electromobility, renewable energies and the expansion of electricity grids. “In order to be able to meet the growing demand for such solutions in the long term, we need to lay the necessary groundwork now,” noted Kirsten. “With Karlovy Vary we are now beginning a new chapter in our silicones’ success story.” The new site complements WACKER’s existing integrated production sites in Burghausen and Nünchritz, Germany. The company is thereby creating important prerequisites for further optimizing its production processes. “Our integrated production setup in Europe will be even more flexible with Karlovy Vary. It will enable us to serve our customers both in Europe and elsewhere even better,” said Kirsten. The new site in Karlovy Vary will focus on the production of room-temperature-curing specialty silicones. Later, high-temperature-curing silicone compounds will also be produced there. In total, WACKER will invest a sum in the low triple-digit million euro range in Karlovy Vary and create around 200 jobs by 2028. Further personnel requirements in later years are also on the cards. When fully operational, the site will be able to supply over 20,000 metric tons of custom-made silicones per year. First production quantities are expected by the end of 2025.

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The topic of logistics plays a major role when it comes to sustainability. Koehler Paper is keen to continue shifting more goods to rail. Unfortunately, however, there are always major hurdles to overcome. 🚆 At the 20th VDV and DSLV marketplace event in Siegburg/Germany, Andreas Riedlinger, Head of Logistics at Koehler, was able to point out the various problems. In the past, for example, six kilometers of track were removed from the Kehl freight station around the Koehler Paper plant in Kehl, which are now urgently needed and are simply missing. Among other things, Andreas Riedlinger is bewildered by the fact that the temporary/extension tracks required for the construction phase of the "POS Süd" rail project are being built, but will have to be dismantled again later. "In order to shift volumes from road to rail in the long term, we need pragmatic and solution-oriented concepts, which must be developed and implemented together with shippers from the industry," suggests the Head of Logistics of the Koehler Group. He adds: "There is no lack of will on the part of the industry! In addition to regulatory issues, the reliability of rail as a mode of transport plays a decisive role here - which is unfortunately currently being disrupted by many factors and can severely disrupt supply security and the flow of goods." Koehler will continue to make great efforts to promote rail as a mode of transport in order to pursue its own goals and those of the transport transition in the long term and to make a positive contribution to the climate strategy. 🌿 #koehlerpaper #paperforthefuture #climatestrategy

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#pioneeringtogether We are happy to welcome our next co-exhibitor for the DESMA House Fair: #BASF! We are looking forward to meeting you again in September. About BASF Performance Materials: "At BASF Performance Materials, we envision a sustainable world with plastics. We explore new ways to make the lifecycle of plastics more #sustainable: from how we can produce plastics more resource-efficiently, to how we can use them better, to how we can give them a new life. We call this transformation #ourplasticsjourney. But we cannot do it on our own. That is why we are working with partners along the value chain and create solutions together. Together we can reach our goal of a cleaner tomorrow faster." For more information about #BASF, please have a look at their website: www.footwear.basf.com #desmahousefair #footwear #shoes #plastics #sustainability #innovation #network #international #exhibition #chemistry

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Heiko Arnold, the former COO of Aurubis (Europe's largest metal producer), talks to Petya Rasheva about his #PathToPower. Heiko was previously the CTO of Lenzing, and the VP of BASF, in charge of the Asian Division. An avid mountain biker and a kayaker. His next project: To travel the world in an expedition vehicle. Heiko started his career as a junior chemist to reach the top of a Fortune 500 giant. Moving to the C-suite of a smaller company (“smaller” only if compared to BASF) came with decision-making freedom and agility. Heiko talks about his 2 missions as a COO: achieving operational excellence, and organic growth. 💬 An important task of the C-suite is the alignment of the many stakeholders. 💬 To form “One Team, One Goal” requires great team building skills and a lot of communication. 💬 You will hit roadblocks. The time you need to overcome them will define your success. What else did Heiko share with us? Watch the interview to find out! 💫 Important! One of our supporters will get a 1:1 session with Heiko to talk about career change! Check the comments to find out how. Why did Heiko talk to Petya? What is the connection? Petya used to work for Aurubis’ business unit in Bulgaria, on the first mega project in the country. This is Ep. 21 of The Path to Power Podcast. The series was conceived as a tool for first-hand learning from prominent business leaders. #PathToPower #EnjoyTheJourney #LeadershipExcellence

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Manuel Häußler wants to turn the way we produce and even think about plastics upside down. In his vision of a #CircularEconomy, chemistry produces high-performance #plastics (comparable to what we're used to) but ➡️From waste and by-products instead of fossil fuels ➡️ using much less energy, thanks to natural processes like yeast and algae fermentation ➡️That can be completely recycled at the end of its life ➡️ restarting the cycle For his project, Manuel received the German Studienpreis 2022 by the Körber-Stiftung and funding by SPRIND - Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen. Learn more about him and listen to his interview here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/ey3ybb76 You can also find more information here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRSywuwB

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Döhler to expand Paarl Manufacturing Plant in diversification and market expansion strategy https://lnkd.in/dX6Qraau #dohler #ingredients #newfacility #diversification #supplychain

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BASF: Part of the problem or part of the solution? With great fanfare, Dr. Martin Brudermüller finished his term as CEO of the German chemical giant BASF. Proudly, he opened the first electrically heated steam cracker, potentially lowering its operational emissions by 90%. When the technology, co-developed with SABIC and Linde, is rolled out to all of BASF´s steam crackers, it could add up to about 3Mt of CO2 savings — a great win, as it seems. The story of the article published in Nachrichten aus der Chemie gets more sobering. This new technology, with the fancy name Starbridge, will also create a fossil lock-in as steam crackers can only be fuelled with the fossil derivative naphtha: "It´s questionable if there will ever be a non-fossil material capable of replacing naphtha in these installations."* BASF has been playing this double role for decades. The impressive clean-up of its processes with ever-increasing circularity and a remarkable drop in the discharge of toxic substances into the environment is nothing but impressive- take a swim downstream of the world´s largest chemical factory if you don´t believe it;) But their continued collaborations with Wintershall Dea and Gazprom drove Germany ever deeper into dependency from Russian imports- with all the consequences that our Ukrainian friends have to suffer. Also, BASF has not given due weight to the opportunities of industrial biotechnology: "However, given BASF's four decades of involvement with biotechnology, its biotech portfolio is modest. It is hard to imagine how climate-friendly and sustainable the chemical company would be today if it had pushed ahead with the process changeover to biotechnology. But this failed due to the costs. Glucose, the number one raw material in biotechnology, and other renewable starting materials are more expensive than fossil resources." To close on a positive note, BASF has an organizational trump card up its sleeve, whose contribution to a genuine drive to sustainability can hardly be denied. An 80-person task force for sustainability reports directly to BASF´s CEO. Failure to meet its goals would reflect directly on the boss—a solid incentive to get things done. *Own translation from the German original text by Uta Neubauer. https://lnkd.in/eBEH-h3Y #chemicalindustry #climatecrisis #processtechnology

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If you are interested in discussing the reuse and remediation of wastestreams through microalgal processes with us, feel free to sign up for the workshop "Kreislauf Alge". Thanks for the organization TU Wien Research Technology Innovation! #sustainability #remediation #microalgae #green

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Talking about transformation: Members of parliament visit the Koehler Group 🤝 ♻️ Members of the German Bundestag Judith Skudelny (FDP) and Martin Gassner-Herz (FDP) visited the Koehler Group at the Kehl and Oberkirch sites. The talks focused on the challenges of switching to recyclable paper packaging and the progress made in decarbonizing the power plant in Oberkirch. For Koehler, sustainability is not a trend, but a necessity in order to maintain and develop the ecological, social and economic foundations, especially for future generations. With the production of flexible packaging paper, but also with the investments in renewable energies, the company is setting an example for the future. #koehlerpaper #paperforthefuture #sustainability #renewableenergy

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Synthetic #rubber is indispensable today, especially for car tires and technical rubber goods. Until now, the raw materials for its production have largely been obtained from fossil sources. Four Fraunhofer Institutes are now developing alternative, biobased raw material sources for synthetic rubber, which will enable completely new types of rubber for car tires.   Scientists from Fraunhofer UMSICHT are producing the rubber monomers butadiene, isoprene and dimethylbutadiene from biobased alcohols. For this process to work, it is essential to use a #catalyst that is as active and selective as possible. Therefore, innovative materials based on clay minerals are developed. Furthermore, colleagues from Fraunhofer UMSICHT will accompany the development of the bio-based synthetic rubber by a #lifecycleassessment.   📌 Details on the project "Sustainable biomonomers for synthetic rubbers with application-related adjustable viscoelastic properties" can be found at https://s.fhg.de/3ikM.   #CircularEconomy #Sustainability | Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP | Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS | Fraunhofer ITWM

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Technological developments may interest you.

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Worth reading: Current editorial in “neue verpackung” on the topic of sustainability in the pharmaceutical packaging industry. 🌱📦 Our pharmaceutical packaging is challenging as it protects sensitive active ingredients and is subject to strict regulations. In the EU in particular, the requirements are becoming increasingly complex. Comprehensive packaging expertise requires a holistic view of the recyclability of different materials and the consideration of different regulatory requirements, depending on the form of medication - for solids or parenterals, for example. Hard figures rather than soft targets are required, because sustainability is no longer just an image issue. We need to develop economic solutions for specific packaging concepts in a timely manner. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive has yet to be updated, but packaging companies should be prepared for the ambitious targets for sustainable packaging solutions to be further tightened. Companies in the pharmaceutical industry should actively push for sustainable solutions. Thanks neue verpackung for the publication, which is the result of collaboration with our sustainable packaging expert Maren Kobusch. Interesting topic? Click here to read the full story. 🧾 https://lnkd.in/g6Uz8B4r #Pharmaceuticals #Sustainability #Parenteral #Packaging

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🌱 Changing the packaging solutions to sustainable ones is a complex process. 🌍 Different materials often have different process behavior characteristics. 🔄 We already have experience with sustainable packaging solutions and rely on the exchange with Faller's material experts, so pharmaceutical companies can expect first-class support. 💊 📖 Read more about the cooperation between Uhlmann Pac-Systeme and August Faller GmbH & Co. KG here. Thanks to neue verpackung for publication! 🙌 #Pharmaceuticals #Parenteral #Sustainability #Packaging

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IFAT 2024: Fraunhofer CCPE's "Reusable Transport Box" demonstrator combines the potential of circular plastic compounds with innovative manufacturing processes for component production. Newly developed mono-material approaches based on PLA, bio-based foams with functional additives and odour-optimized recyclates open up promising design possibilities for the realization of circular product designs. At the booth of the Fraunhofer IML (Hall B4 booth 153 and 352), you will not only receive information on the reusable transport box, but also on adapted digitalization and logistics concepts for the efficient coordination of material and information flows. Would you like to talk to our specialists? Then come and visit us at the IFAT worldwide 2024. #IFAT2024 #plastics #circulardesign #monomaterial #PLA #digitalisation #circulareconomy

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📢 **Call for companies in the process industry** I am looking for companies that manufacture machines and systems for the process industry, focussing - but not exclusively - on the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food and beverage sectors. These companies should currently have a turnover corridor of between EUR 15 and 50 million and be looking for strong international growth. Ideally, these companies should be located in Northern, Western and Southern Europe or the UK. The owners should have a clear idea of how the development of their company can be driven forward and want to actively take on the realisation. 💼 **My offer**: I have a network of financial investors who would participate in such a company as part of a buy & build strategy. These investors are prepared to provide capital and the necessary expertise for acquisitions based on a jointly developed strategy. A majority shareholding is desirable. 📧 **Contact**: If you are the owner of such a company, please contact me at thomas.grimm-bosbach@growthforge.de. As I am remunerated by the investors on a performance basis, there is no risk that I will try to sell you something indirectly 😉 You can find more information about me and my approach at www.growthforge.de. I look forward to hearing from you! #Process industry #Chemicals #Pharma #Biotech #Investors #Growth #BuyAndBuild #Internationalisation #Financing

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"Resources", "Circular Economy" and "Environment" - that sounds like one of our Intersolar Europe start-ups, LuxChemtech GmbH. ☀️ LuxChemtech GmbH has committed itself to the recovery of valuable raw materials and materials through waste-free concepts for a true circular economy. They focus on semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), sourced from the old stock of high-tech products like photovoltaic modules, wafers, targets, as well as devices and production waste. ♻️ Impressive, right? 😍 #Intersolar #Sustainable #Recycling

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On Tuesday, May 21, Billerud underwent a substantial shift in its strategic approach for the Escanaba Mill.  “After in-depth feasibility studies, evaluations, and supplier discussions, we have concluded that the projected return on investment is not sufficiently attractive to proceed with the conversion of Escanaba to cartonboard production……..Instead, we will pursue a higher returning and more moderate investment strategy for our North American mills going forward,” says Ivar Vatne, President and CEO of Billerud. Escanaba makes Printing and Writing, Release and Communications Paper. On the same day, The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the April 2024 Printing-Writing Monthly report (Year-over-Year): - Uncoated free sheet shipments increased by 9%. - Coated free sheet shipments increased by 22%. - Mechanical paper shipments increased by 25%. The market is dynamic. #pulp #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry #packaging #packagingindustry #financialresults #strategy #tissue

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5 reasons why August Brötje GmbH chose our Mycelium Packaging 1. Sustainability: switching from styrofoam, mycelium packaging offers an eco-friendly & healthy alternative. It's made from mycelium and agricultural byproducts like hemp, making it 100%biodegradable. 2. Recyclability: unlike styrofoam, which is hard to recycle, mycelium packaging can be composted and reused as fertilizer. 3. Durability and Protection: mycelium is not only lightweight and sturdy but also provides excellent cushioning, ensuring that sensitive products like their flat radiators are well-protected during shipping. 4. Circular economy: this choice supports a sustainable economy by utilising biobased products and returning them to nature after use. 5. Customizability: the packaging can be designed in various forms and specifically tailored to fit products. Their commitment to sustainability is inspiring! Let's celebrate their forward-thinking approach to a greener future. Who should be next? Leave a comment. #Sustainability #Mycelium

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