Brunsbüttel, Germany - Sunday, 28 March 2021, will be the 60th anniversary of the signing of a contract between Deutsche Erdöl AG and Continental Oil Company to establish a new company called CONDEA Petrochemie-Gesellschaft m.b.H. This laid the foundation stone for the construction of Sasol's chemical plant in Brunsbüttel.
Over the past 60 years, the plant has developed into a globally recognised chemical site and an attractive employer in the region. Modern production facilities, qualified employees and a versatile, competitive product range are the basis of this success.
The commissioning of the Ziegler plant at the end of 1964 marked the start for the production of synthetic fatty alcohols, which in turn are used in the manufacturing of cosmetics, detergents and cleaning agents as well as lubricating oil and plastic additives.
In the 1970s, the site developed into a manufacturer of inorganic speciality products through the production of alumina, which is a by-product of the Ziegler process parallel to the production of fatty alcohols.
In 1983, a manufacturing process for alumina that was independent of the Ziegler production was developed and successfully put into operation. The possible fields of application for the product alumina are manifold, for example in the production of refinery and chemical catalysts, in car exhaust cleaning, in the coating of high-quality photographic printing paper or for the production of plastic additives.
"Over all these years, we have succeeded in reacting flexibly and proactively to technical, ecological, social and economic developments," emphasises site manager Peter Högenauer. "In the future, too, we will rely on the continuous further development of the plant and on the good cooperation with the neighbours and the contact partners from business and politics in the region." "For 60 years now, we have been closely associated with Dithmarschen and the town of Brunsbüttel. We want to continue to play an active role in the region - as an economic force, as a responsible neighbour and as a company that provides apprenticeships for young people."
In 2020, the team in Brunsbüttel achieved 1st place in the nationwide Responsible Care competition of the VCI (German Chemical Industry Association) with a project to save water and the associated reduction of waste water. Further proof of the innovative strength of the site is the completion of the new laboratory and research centre planned for the end of 2021. In the social area, the company is committed to strengthening the compatibility of work and family in terms of a family-friendly personnel policy.
And Sasol is celebrating another anniversary this year: 20 years ago, in March 2001, the South African chemical and energy group Sasol took over CONDEA, the chemical division of RWE-DEA. In doing so, Sasol, which - founded in 1950 - itself looks back on a 70-year history, strengthened its position as a global player and its international competitiveness. Today, around 800 people are employed in Brunsbüttel. The plant belongs to Sasol Germany GmbH, a chemical company within the Sasol Group.
"We are optimistic about the future and look forward to the challenges ahead," said Högenauer. "Our special thanks go to all active and former employees who have worked energetically for the development of our site."
About Sasol Germany GmbH Brunsbüttel: Sasol Germany GmbH is a manufacturer of high-quality chemical products with production facilities in Brunsbüttel and Marl and headquarters in Hamburg. Around 1,700 employees and almost 100 trainees produce innovative and sustainable products and develop solutions for the processing industry. The company offers a wide range of products, including substances for the manufacture of detergents and cleaning agents, paints and coatings, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. In addition, specialties such as high-purity and ultra-high-purity alumina are used, for example, as catalyst carriers in catalytic converters for the automotive industry. At the Brunsbüttel site, around 800 employees primarily produce fatty alcohols and inorganic specialty chemicals. Sasol Germany GmbH is part of the chemical division of Sasol Limited. The South African company Sasol is a global integrated chemicals and energy company spanning 30 countries.
