Chemical park boss: "Disaster with an announcement"

The Managing Director of the Leuna Chemical Park, Christof Günther, has accused politicians of pursuing the wrong course in energy policy. "Our competitiveness has been ruined," Günther told the Magdeburger Volksstimme newspaper. "Energy prices, the density of regulation and the bureaucratic burden in Germany have long been incomprehensible from the perspective of a globally active company. We have been pointing this out for years," said Günther, referring to the fact that Dow is considering withdrawing from the Central German chemical triangle in view of high energy prices.

The US chemical company Dow is examining various options, including a temporary shutdown or closure of plants. According to the company, these are plants in Schkopau and Böhlen.

"This announcement is really bitter, because it is a disaster with an announcement," said Günther. He warns that jobs are at risk. "Around three other jobs in other sectors depend on every chemical job."

The head of the chemical park is calling for a different approach to energy policy. "An additional supply of natural gas would lower prices," says Günther. There is already an expectation on the trading markets that a peace solution will be found for Ukraine and that Russian gas will then flow back into Europe. "We are arguing in favor of Russian pipeline gas because we are no longer competitive compared to Asia and America."