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The decision to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2038 means that Lusatia is in the midst of accelerated structural change. For the region, this means major challenges - but also great opportunities to emerge from the change in a particularly strong position. Three projects are presented here which demonstrate that these opportunities are being seized.
CircEcon: Europe-wide unique pilot project for a greenhouse gas-neutral circular economy
The three technical universities in Chemnitz, Dresden and Freiberg and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences signed a cooperation agreement in April to jointly establish the "Green Circular Economy" research campus in the Schwarze Pumpe Industrial Park. Great hopes are pinned on CircEcon - because it is intended to increase Lusatia's appeal and become a driving force for regional and supra-regional development. The four educational institutions are pooling their expertise in the field of materials and production technologies as well as process and recycling technology. CircEcon" will be a unique center in Europe for researching and developing new technologies for recycling and reusing fiber composites from wind turbines, for example. This will lead to the creation of new jobs through relocations and spin-offs in the region. "CircEcon" is scheduled to start operations at the end of 2026.
Group14: Silane gas for new battery modules
US-based silicon battery materials manufacturer Group14 has acquired German company Schmid Silicon, which operated a monosilane gas plant in Schwarze Pumpe, to strengthen its global battery supply chain and meet the worldwide demand for silicon battery technology. The proven monosilane process technology will now be combined with Group14's proven manufacturing capabilities to deliver high energy density silicon battery materials. As soon as the plant is operational, which should be no later than 2026, Group 14 expects the number of employees to increase fivefold. Outside of China, there are only three plants worldwide that supply the important precursor for battery production - one of which is located in Schwarze Pumpe.
Green pharming: Industry needed for implementation
Torsten Nagel, who runs an engineering office for plant construction and building technology in the industrial park,
was initiated by a project team from institutes and professorships at TU Dresden and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Prof. Michael Beckmann (Energy Process Engineering, TU Dresden): "Scientific developments don't work in the laboratory alone, they need industry to implement them. Schwarze Pumpe is right on our doorstep, which is why I really value this location." Tobacco plants are to be used instead of animal raw materials, which are expensive to obtain, for the production of specific medicines. Their residues are converted into biochar. With the Green Pharming project, Lusatia is playing a pioneering role in the field of green pharming.
