News from the Regions in Structural Change | Nov 2022

Two large-scale research centers for Lusatia and central Germany coal regions

Two large-scale research centers will be established in the traditional coal regions of Lusatia and central Germany, receiving federal funding of more than EUR 1.1 billion to 2038. The German federal government, the Free State of Saxony and the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt have announced the winners of the "Knowledge Creates Perspectives for the Region!" ideas competition for the establishment of two large-scale research centers in Lusatia and the central German mining region. The decision was made in favor of the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA) and the Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC). Announcing the plans, Federal Minister Bettina Start-Watzinger said “we must shape structural change in the coal regions and give people prospects. Research is the key to this. With the decision to establish two major research centers, we are setting a milestone today. The German Center for Astrophysics and the 'Center for the Transformation of Chemistry' will give Lusatia in Saxony and the central German coalfield a distinctive scientific profile and create important jobs for the regions.”

Baur to build development center in Coswig

Austrian measurement technology manufacturer "Baur" is set to build a new development center in Coswig near Dresden. The company plans to redesign or improve testing and diagnostic equipment for power systems at the planned facility in Saxony. The new site will be Baur’s second in Germany after its Grevenbroich facility in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Red Bull and Rauch rescue Brandenburger Urstromquelle from closure

Austrian drinks giant Red Bull and fruit juice producer Rauch have rescued Brandenburger Urstromquelle in Baruth from closure, thereby securing the future of around 300 jobs in the region. The two companies have announced an agreement in principle on the takeover and continuation of production at the site with Altmühltaler Mineralbrunnen, the current owners of Brandenburger Urstromquelle, who had previously announced plans to close the production plant this year.

Swiss Renggli AG builds timber module plant in Eberswalde

Swiss timber construction company Renggli is building a production facility for the manufacture of structural components and prefabricated parts for multi-storey building made of wood in Eberswalde. Two hundred new jobs will be created at the Brandenburg site, which will also receive EUR 13.7 million in public funding from the Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building Klara Geywitz said that the plans will help re-establish Eberswalde as an industrial production location.

Biotech start-up uses mushroom protein for its vegan “meat” range

A biotech start-up in the town of Jelmstorf in Lower Saxony is making use of edible mycelium fungus to produce vegan proteins for sale in a range of vegan foods including nuggets and burger patties. Established in 2019, Keen4Greens has already attracted the attention of investors including FoodLabs, Shio Capital and Sustainable Food Ventures. The company claims that its proprietary biotech and engineering technologies allow the production of sustainable, high in protein meat alternatives in just one week. 

Japanese automotive supplier TDDK invests millions in Lusatia

Japanese automotive supplier TDDK plans to invest an undisclosed sum in the multiple million-euro range in the Lusatia region, with the construction of Europe’s largest facility for electric air-conditioning technology set to be built in the town of Straßgräbchen. The start of mass production is planned for early 2025. The subsidiary of two Japanese companies of the Toyota Group has been manufacturing in the region since 2000. The site has been expanded several times, with TDDK currently boasting a workforce of around 950 employees.

New auto terminal opens in Rostock

A new car terminal with space for 3,200 vehicles has been opened in the northern port city of Rostock as part of the city’s plans to position itself as a major trans-shipment center for cars. According to the operator Autolink, the city represents an attractive proposition for auto manufacturers located in southern and southeastern Europe thanks to shorter transportation routes. The new 75,000 sqm facility was built in less than two years and counts among the most modern facilities in Europe. Deutsche Bahn has also completed the modernization of the main rail link at the Rostock seaport to coincide with the opening of the new car terminal.