The chemical industry is under pressure. The managing director of the Leuna chemistry park demands a different energy policy and relies on Russian gas.
The managing director of the Leuna chemistry park, Christof Günther, has accused politics of a wrong course in energy policy. “Our competitiveness was ruined,” said Günther of the “Magdeburg Volksstimme”. “Energy prices, regulatory density and bureaucracy compartment in Germany have long been no longer understandable from the perspective of a globally operating group. We have been pointing this out for years,” said Günther with a view that the US chemical company Dow is considering a withdrawal from Central German chemical triangle.
DOW checks various options, including temporary decommissioning or closure of systems. According to the company, this is facilities in Schkopau (Saxony-Anhalt) and Böhlen (Saxony).
“This announcement is really bitter because it is a disaster with an announcement,” said Günther. He warns of a domino effect. “Around three more jobs hang in other industries at every chemical workplace.”
The manager calls for another energy policy approach. At the markets there is already an expectation that a peace solution for Ukraine will be found and then Russian gas flows back to Europe. “We advocate Russian pipelinegas because we are no longer competitive compared to Asia and America.”
Source: Stern
