10,000 New Jobs, Investments Increased
FRANKFURT, May 14 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
- German Chemical Parks Record Growth - Attractive Business Model for Investors
The number of employees in German chemical parks has increased
by roughly 10,000 to 240,000 between 2006 and 2008. In this same period, the
number of companies doing business at these sites increased from 840 to 920.
These figures were presented today by Dr. Klaus-Dieter Juszak, Chairman of
the German Sector Group of Chemical Parks and Sites in the German Chemical
Industry Association (VCI). These figures, based on a new industry estimate,
were presented during a press conference at the ACHEMA 2009 in Frankfurt.
"The German concept of chemical parks is successful and has a promising
future," noted Juszak. Michael Pfeiffer, Chief Executive of Germany Trade &
Invest (GTAI), confirmed the interest of foreign companies in the successful
business model provided by chemical parks.
Establishment of Value-Added Chains
Investments in chemical parks have increased. In 2008 the
total investment volume surpassed EUR 3.5 billion for the first time. In the
years leading up to 2008, companies invested an average of roughly EUR 3
billion in the expansion and construction of facilities. More than 80 percent
of investment expenditures in the industry fell upon chemical producers.
These investments include both new and established companies. Chemical parks
create an optimal environment, for new and established companies alike.
Efficiency through Network Structures
For investors looking to Germany as a chemical production
site, Germany offers numerous location advantages over its international
competitors: a reliable energy supply, combined production potential, and the
sharing of costs for raw materials and intermediate goods.
Research Network
The unique network of university and independent research
institutes is a further advantage for Germany as a chemical industry site:
Every second chemical park, according to Juszak, is directly connected to a
research network, as the industry is dependent on a constant flow of research
results. The chemical industry also hopes to continue its high research and
development investments in order to emerge stronger from the global economic
crisis. In this context, Juszak welcomes the federal minister's introduction
of tax relief for companies' research and development initiatives. "It is
important that both the small businesses and large companies benefit from
this support," stressed the Chairman, "because innovation, especially in the
chemical industry, is based heavily on cooperation."
GTAI Chief Executive Michael Pfeiffer confirms that Germany is
also seen as an attractive investment location for foreign investors. Germany
Trade & Invest is the new foreign trade and inward investment promotion
agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. One of the organization's missions
is to attract foreign investors to Germany. According to Pfeiffer, Germany
scores very highly in terms of the country's competitiveness as an investment
location. This is true not only for the chemical industry and its related
industries, but also extends to other branches. In a recently published study
by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), US companies ranked Germany as
the most attractive business location in Europe. Reasons cited included the
high product and process quality in Germany. These are factors that both
companies and customers greatly value, especially in an economic downturn.
Pfeiffer further discussed current industry figures. According to these
figures, Germany's chemical industry is number one in Europe in terms of
revenues, exports, investment, and R&D expenditures. "The German chemical and
chemical processing industry is one of the global heavyweights. Germany is a
clear leader in terms of exports. Chemical companies that produce in Germany
can come out ahead of the competition in international markets," said
Pfeiffer.
In addition to investments by the chemical industry and the
related processing industries, companies in renewable energies are
increasingly seeking proximity to chemical parks, especially in
photovoltaics, biopolymers, and biofuels. This demand is notably visible in
R&D-intensive investment projects.
Kontakt: VCI-Pressestelle, Telefon: +49(0)69-2556-1496, E-Mail:
zedlitz@vci.de
Kontakt: GTAI-Pressestelle, Telefon: +49(0)30-200-099-173, E-Mail:
eva.henkel@gtai.com
SOURCE: Germany Trade and Invest GmbH
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