Chemistry Research Center Opens First Offices in Merseburg

The Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) has officially opened its first offices on the campus of the Merseburg University of Applied Sciences, marking a significant step for the large-scale research center in Germany's chemical industry.

These new offices provide up to ten workstations, establishing the CTC's first permanent base in Saxony-Anhalt. "Strong impulses for the transformation of the fossil-based chemical industry towards a sustainable, resource-saving circular economy will emanate from Merseburg in the future," stated Science Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD) at the opening ceremony. The collaboration between the CTC and the university is formalized through a cooperation agreement, focusing on joint research projects, securing third-party funding, and facilitating the exchange of researchers and educators.

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Strong impulses for the transformation of the fossil-based chemical industry towards a sustainable, resource-saving circular economy will emanate from Merseburg in the future.

The establishment of these offices is a prelude to a larger vision. A dedicated research building is planned for the university campus, expected to be completed by approximately 2031. This facility is projected to eventually house around 300 employees and will feature a highly automated pharmaceutical laboratory. The CTC's main headquarters will be located in Delitzsch, in northern Saxony, where research will include the concept of a fully recyclable car.

Financially backed by federal, Saxon, and Saxony-Anhalt state governments, the CTC is set to receive up to 1.1 billion euros in funding until 2038. Of this amount, up to 330 million euros will be allocated to Saxony-Anhalt. By 2038, a total of up to 1,000 researchers are expected to work across the Merseburg and Delitzsch sites. Minister Willingmann highlighted the current pressures on chemical companies, citing high energy costs and the long-term necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the need for innovation to maintain competitiveness and achieve climate neutrality.

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It is now important to invest in innovation.