Forum IPW - Industriepark Walsrode

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Information from the Industrial Park Walsrode
Dow Wolff Cellulosics
IPW: a globalization hotspot
The acquisition of Wolff Walsrode AG by The Dow Chemical Company,
a globally operating US concern, in July of this year has strengthened
the IPW as a modern industrial location. The newly formed company
Dow Wolff Cellulosics with its workforce in excess of 2,200 and its
15 production sites and sales offices has its headquarters in Bomlitz.
In the wake of these developments, promising new linkage points along
the supply chain are also emerging for small and medium-sized enterprises.
EU business grants
Green light for
investments
The European Union is supporting
small and medium-sized enterprises
which are planning to invest in the
region, by providing grants up until
the year 2013. The subsidies can
amount to 15 per cent of the capital
investment.
Page 6
Economic climate
Economy continues
to grow
Businesses in Lower Saxony currently
rate economic development as continuing
to be positive. The situation is
also judged favourably by the majority
of industrial companies. This is the
outcome of a recent survey by the
Lüneburg-Wolfsburg Chamber of
Industry and Commerce.
Page 6
CaseTech GmbH
Demanding market
Based in the Industrial Park
Walsrode, CaseTech produces and
markets high-quality synthetic
casings for the meat processing
industry and butcher’s trade under
its brand name of “Walsroder
Casings”.
Page 7
Plug and play – the Industrial Park’s
motto not only aims at the bull’s eye
with regard to SMEs in the chemical
industry, as is shown by the example of
The Dow Chemical Company, a major
multinational concern. The cellulosics
business of the US group and of the
former Bayer affiliate is being consolidated
under the umbrella of the newly
founded company Dow Wolff Cellulosics,
and the global cellulosics activities
are controlled from Bomlitz, Germany.
The IPW plays a central role in the US
concern’s global strategy, as the business
operations of the new company
with its more than 2,200 employees at
15 locations are managed from its base
here in the IPW. “Bomlitz is our headquarters
and the center of expertise for
cellulosics within the Dow Group,”
explains Martin Sonntag, General Manager
of Dow Wolff Cellulosics.
With their skills, commitment and
experience, our employees alongside
the infrastructure and state-of-the-art
machinery and equipment were a major
factor in favour of merging the activities
here. “Knowing the market as well
as they do, the staff’s entrepreneurial
approach already proved in the Wolff era
that a company can grow faster than
the market itself.”
The new company encompasses all the
business operations of the former Wolff
Walsrode AG plus Dow’s Water Soluble
Polymers division. Dow Wolff Cellulosics
amalgamates the group’s cellulosics
Issue 01 | 2008
activities. “What we have gained
through Wolff Walsrode is above all
additional technology and market
expertise,” says Sonntag. The two parties
complement each other perfectly
in terms of future growth objectives.
“The former Wolff Walsrode AG set
global standards in the fields which
are of interest to us.” Whereas Wolff’s
product focus was on cellulose derivatives
for applications in the construction
and coatings industries, Dow has
traditionally been a strong player in the
food sector and in the pharmaceuticals
market.
Continued on page 3
www.industriepark-walsrode.com · Info: office@industriepark-walsrode.de

2
Reader Survey
Dear Reader,
A good newsletter should respond to its readers’
wishes, which is why in our previous issue
we requested your opinion and asked you what
you liked about “Forum IPW” and where we
could improve it. Many readers made use of the
opportunity and we thank them very much for
doing so.
Your replies have proved very helpful in our
efforts to improve our information service. As
a token of our thanks we entered all participants’
names into a draw, the prizes being an
MP3 player, a digital camera and a fountain
pen.
The 8 megapixel Sony DSC-W90 camera was
won by a reader in Sweden: Fredrik Meuller,
president of Trelleborg Protective Products.
The iPod video player with a 30 GB memory
went to Frank Ludwig, PPC Card Systems GmbH
in Paderborn, and the Montblanc “Meisterstück”
fountain pen was won by Georg Hennig,
Dr. Schnell Chemie GmbH, Munich.
Congratulations to all winners.
Yours truly
Alf Wilkens
Manager Industrial Park Walsrode
© Industrial Park Walsrode 01.2008
New works restaurant
In-park gastro experience
Eurest Deutschland assures the 2,600
employees in the Industrial Park that it
is committed to cooking with passion
and pleasure. The new in-park restaurant
opened its doors at the beginning
of January 2008. Eurest Deutschland is
one of the leading institutional catering
firms nationwide. Some 8,000 employees
cater to the needs of more than
250,000 people all over the country.
And for the employees of the companies
M-Pro-Tec GmbH
Setting up own facilities at IPW
The Walsrode-based company M-Pro-Tec
GmbH is expanding its activities at
the IPW. The enterprise, which develops
special packaging machinery for the
food industry, is investing in its own
warehouse and a workshop where the
packaging machines are to be assembled,
programmed, tested and inspected.
Founded three years ago, the
company provides engineering and pro-
resident in the IPW, too, Eurest offers
variety and quality. Regular gourmet,
theme and special lunches alongside
wok dishes, pasta or grilled meals plus
regional specialities provide for culinary
variety. The new works restaurant has
seating for 300 people and can be
also booked by the IPW companies for
employee assemblies or promotional
events.
ject management from the conceptual
design stage through to the finished
item. It focuses on machines and processes
tailored to the requirements of
the food industry. During its first two
years, M-Pro-Tec worked closely together
with the IPW’s technical service
provider, Probis. This cooperation will
be intensified still further in the wake
of M-Pro-Tec’s expansion.

Dow Wolff Cellulosics
IPW: a globalization
hotspot
Continued from page 1
One of the key success factors for Dow
Wolff Cellulosics is its ability to launch
effective product solutions for its customers
and to develop the necessary
forward-looking process technologies.
To provide the basis for developing
modern processes so as to be flexible
and effective, the appropriate resources
are now being consolidated at the stateof-the-art
research and development
facilities located in Bomlitz, Germany.
Methylcellulose process
development is being
consolidated in Bomlitz
This means that new jobs in conjunction
with process development will be created
at the Bomlitz site. The process
engineers will then benefit from the
amassed on-site expertise and experience
as well as from their very good
knowledge of the various production
plants. “This will also underpin Bomlitz
as a research location,” says Sonntag,
confirming the company’s decision to
consolidate methylcellulose capacities
and know-how in Bomlitz, where technicians
scale up the process from the
laboratory to the industrial scale and
also develop and optimize new production
processes.
This commitment within the IPW is also
testimony of the location’s growing
attractiveness for globally operating
concerns. Some seven years ago the
Finnish conglomerate Wihuri took over
the films division of the former Wolff
Walsrode AG, thereby integrating it into
its Wipak Group and expanding it into
its largest production site. The IPW
became the group’s strategic hub in
Europe. Today, Wipak is among the
leading European suppliers of packaging
films.
Currently, six companies operating in
the chemical and plastics processing
sector plus several service and infrastructure
providers are based in the
IPW.
More information at:
www.dowwolffcellulosics.de
IPW Forum – Issue 01|2008
Innovation & Growth
“Consolidating methylcellulose expertise in Bomlitz”: production facility at the Industrial Park Walsrode
Cellulose – an
inexhaustible resource
Cellulose can be found virtually everywhere in
the natural world. Some natural fibres such as
cotton, hemp, flax and jute consist almost entirely
of cellulose, whereas the cellulose content
of wood is around 40–60 per cent. The natural
synthesis of cellulose totals about 60 billion tons
of per year, resulting in the practically unlimited
availability of this renewable resource. It is currently
extracted mainly from wood. In linters
(cottonseed hair), cellulose is present in almost
pure form. It stabilizes the cell walls of most
plants. By modifying its basic structure, it is converted
into a versatile material for use in many
areas of modern life. Processing it to obtain cellulose
derivatives involves technologically
demanding and complex processes with a low
environmental impact, resulting in the specific
properties that enhance building materials, food
products, printing inks, coatings, pharmaceuticals
and cosmetics.
www.industriepark-walsrode.com · Info: office@industriepark-walsrode.de

4
IPW Insight
Technical Service
The technical service portfolio covers
the entire range from spare parts,
assembly work, machine repairs to the
construction of equipment using metal
and plastics. Based in the Industrial
Park, the Technical Service Business
Center of Probis GmbH is the unit to
consult on all technical issues. Experience,
reliability and compliance with
time schedules are some of the unit’s
prime merits. While complying with
Plug and play
The Industrial Park Walsrode
(IPW) is an ideal launch pad
for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) and it offers
plenty of scope for development.
Modern infrastructure, a vast
array of services, favourable
terms and efficient logistics
provide a firm base for sustain-
able growth and success. The
IPW is a central startzing point
for the markets in Northern
Germany and in Northern and
Eastern Europe.
© Industrial Park Walsrode 01.2008
stringent safety and quality requirements,
some 80 specialists carry out
approx. 12,000 orders per year.
Performance scope:
■ Maintenance of industrial plants
■ Improvement of machine
availability
■ Manufacture of new & spare parts
■ Testing of tools & instruments
The Industrial Park Walsrode
Facts & Figures
■ Area: 130 hectares
■ Companies: more than 20
■ Workforce: approx. 2600
■ Production space: 210,000 m 2
■ 30 ha of area currently
available
■ Vacant offices & laboratories
Location
■ Bomlitz/Walsrode, Germany
■ In the triangle formed by
the major cities
Hamburg (100 km),
Hanover (65 km) and
Bremen (65 km)
■ Motorways A7 and A27
■ Close to international
airports & seaports
■ In-park rail system linked
to national network
BREMEN
HANNOVER
HAMBURG

Vacant Areas
Office space
■ Size: up to 200 m2 ;
■ adaptable to utilization
concept
■ Rooms ranging from 12 to 46 m2 ■ Rent: from 6.00 €/m2 per
month, plus service charges
■ Contemporary fit-out
■ Can be occupied at short notice
Companies Sectors
(Selection in alphabetical order)
■ AF Personalpartner
■ Atos Origin
■ CaseTech
■ Dow Wolff Cellulosics
■ Epurex Films
■ OHE
■ Probis
■ Wipak Walsrode
Laboratory space Commercial space
■ Chemical industry
■ Plastics processing
■ Life sciences
■ Logistics
■ IT services
■ Engineering
Services
(Selection)
Good reasons for relocating to the IPW
Reduced “time to market”
Straightforward and rapid permit procedure –
competent on-site project management.
Reduced capital investment
Infrastructure in place, low-cost rental and
leasehold schemes for real estate.
Reduced logistics expenses
Utilization of existing supply chains.
■ Size: 50 m2 ,
extendable to approx. 200 m2 ■ Rent: from 14.00 €/m2 per
month, plus service charges
■ Modern infrastructure
■ Flexibly adaptable
■ Can be occupied at short notice
■ Close to production facilities
IPW Forum – Issue 01|2008
IPW Insight
■ Size: from 1,500 m2 to 6.5 hectares
■ Price: rent from 0.30 €/m2 per month (fully developed)
■ Supply & drainage: potable/process
water, rainwater/wastewater sewers
■ Utility supplies: natural gas, steam
(up to 20 bar), electric power/
medium-high voltage (5KV/20KV)
■ In-park rail connection
■ Misc.: various conduits
(for IT, communications etc.)
■ Fire-fighting water supply
■ Permit/approval management
■ Engineering
■ Procurement
(incl. raw materials)
■ Logistics
■ Security service
■ Quality management
■ Energy
■ Fire prevention
■ IT, telecommunications
■ Workshops
■ Technical services
■ Fire service
Optimized human resource requirements
Appropriate range of services from recruiting
to engineering “on demand”.
Strong community
Profiting from “economy of size”, rapid integration
into the region.
www.industriepark-walsrode.com · Info: office@industriepark-walsrode.de
5

6
Business Location Germany
Support scheme for SMEs
Investment
start-up grants
The former administrative district of
Lüneburg is a development area aided
by the European Union until 2013.
Under this scheme the rural district
of Soltau-Fallingbostel and its towns
and boroughs can be awarded investment
grants for small and mediumsized
enterprises (SMEs). The investment
grant is non-repayable and may
amount to a maximum of 15 per cent
of the investment sum qualifying for
an EU business grant in the case
of small enterprises and up to 7.5
per cent in the case of medium-sized
companies.
Eligibility for an SME
investment grant:
■ Company registered or about
to be registered in the rural
district of Soltau-Fallingbostel
■ Applications may be submitted
by: businesses in industry,
crafts, commerce, hotel and
service enterprises
■ Small or medium-sized
enterprise
■ The investment has not yet
begun
Alongside the grants obtainable
through the rural district, there are
further grant schemes offered by
the NBank. In particular companies
achieving their turnover predominantly
beyond the region may receive
subsidies from the joint programme
for “Improvement of Regional Economic
Structure”.
For more information on
the SME grants scheme,
the rural district’s guidelines and
the application forms, log onto the
websites www.soltau-fallingbostel.de
and www.nbank.de
Source: www.soltau-fallingbostel.de
© Industrial Park Walsrode 01.2008
Wage costs
EU comparison shows:
Germany regains ground
The wage costs for businesses in Europe are rising – but in no country is the increase
as low as in Germany. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, the
labour costs rose by 1.1% as compared with the 2nd quarter of 2006. A similarly
low increase was registered in no other EU member country. Sweden reported a
rise of 2.3%, followed by Finland and Malta (2.6% each), Austria and Belgium
(2.7% each). In Poland and the Czech Republic the labour costs rose by 11.4% and
7.7% respectively. The highest increases were in Latvia (31.7%) and Romania
(23.4%). With a rise in wage costs of 3.5%, France also exceeded the EU average of
3.3%.
Economic survey
Industrial companies
are optimistic
There continues to be a positive
mood, as almost 90 per cent of businesses
in the area covered by the
Lüneburg-Wolfsburg Chamber of
Industry and Commerce are content
with the current economic climate.
The majority of industrial enterprises
also rate the situation as good. This is
the outcome of the Chamber’s recent
economic survey, according to which
50 per cent of the companies asked
said they were planning to expand
their capacities. The charts show current
expectations in the mechanical
engineering, chemical and business
services sectors.
Chemical industry
Order intakes have improved considerably,
allowing a positive outlook.
Exports are likely to slacken as
compared with the previous year.
59 %
41 %
More information on the economic
climate in the region at:
www.ihk24-lueneburg.de
and navigate to: Standortpolitik/Wirtschaftspolitik
Business services
This sector is for the most part
satisfied, and profits have risen
slightly, but forecasts have been
scaled down.
54 %
Mechanical engineering
Order books continue to be well filled
and the forecasts are optimistic.
Profits followed a positive trend and
some of them will be reinvested.
24 %
20 %
11 %
35 %
56 %
Good Medium Poor
Source: IHK Lüneburg-Wolfsburg

1st Education Conference
Fit for
the future
Making children and young people fit
for the future – with this goal in its
sights, the rural district of Soltau-
Fallingbostel plans to set up a Bureau
of Education to cluster together and
enhance the region’s vocational education
and training (VET) activities. This is
the outcome of the 1st Education Conference
held in Walsrode in mid-October.
Representatives of the local communities,
private and public education
institutions, business and industry took
part in the event, confirming their interest
in improving the region’s education
and training landscape. Their joint
objective is to work closer together in
a bid to provide the best possible education
and vocational training opportunities
for children, juveniles and adults.
“To secure jobs, we need qualified
young people,” said Dr Karl Krähling
of Dow Wolff Cellulosics, stressing the
regional economic community’s high
level of interest in the project. The
participants requested that the Bureau
of Education take up its work in the
course of the coming year.
Companies at the Industrial Park
CaseTech GmbH
Focusing on sausages
Linking tradition with modernday
needs can be achieved successfully,
as is proven by CaseTech. Based in
the Industrial Park Walsrode, this
company produces high-quality
casings used for producing sausages,
and in addition it provides technical
services and support to the meat processing
industry and to the butcher’s
trade. Sausage casings have been
manufactured at this location since
as early as 1928 and are marketed
under the brand name of Walsroder
Casings.
In terms of quality, Walsroder Casings
have set standards in the course of
the past seven decades and they
undergo continual upgrading at the
IPW. “Our certified production process
and our fully-equipped pilot
IPW Forum – Issue 01|2008
sausagemaking facility ensure prime
quality,” says Managing Director
Jürgen Schuh. Today the company
which emerged from the artificial
casings division of the former Wolff
Walsrode AG is committed to highlevel
research, state-of-the-art production
and customized finishing
and services – all from a single source.
And that’s not all: CaseTech is one
of the few suppliers around the globe
to offer not only coated and uncoated
cellulose fibrous casings but also a
broad range of polymer casings.
CaseTech pays a lot of attention to
the visual appeal of its sausage
casings. Whether for customized,
standard or butcher’s prints, entire
series of graphic images or individual
print designs – CaseTech operates one
of the world’s leading special-purpose
printing works and is thus able to
print casings by the flexographic
process with up to eight colours. In
Germany, Eastern Europe and in the
USA, CaseTech has approximately 420
employees, some 240 of whom work
in the IPW.
More information at:
www.walsroder.de
www.industriepark-walsrode.com · Info: office@industriepark-walsrode.de
7

Dates
ChemSpecEurope 2008
18/19 June 2008
Munich Trade Fair Centre
Stand 416
Imprint
Published by:
Dow Wolff Cellulosics GmbH
Industrial Park Office
PO Box 1662
29656 Walsrode, Germany
Tel.: +49 5161 44-3086
Fax: +49 5161 44-143086
Editor:
Torsten Wyszniewski
office@industriepark-walsrode.de
www.industriepark-walsrode.com
Text & layout:
Ulrich Kommunikation, Hannover
www.u-kom.com
Printed by:
Druckcenter Walsrode
© Industrial Park Walsrode 01.2008
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Company
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Phone | Fax
E-Mail
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If you have any further questions, please contact:
Industriepark Walsrode
Torsten Wyszniewski
PO Box 1662 | 29656 Walsrode, Germany
Tel.: +49 5161 44-3086 | Fax: +49 5161 44-143086
torsten.wyszniewski@industriepark-walsrode.de
www.industriepark-walsrode.com