The History of the Chemical Industry in Knapsack
Constant change and continuous innovation are two factors that mark the chemical industry. The history of the chemical industry in Knapsack was defined by people’s inventive talents. Products have been produced here for over 100 years, which have become a matter of course in many parts of our daily lives.
You will be able to see a short overview of the most important changes in Knapsack when you click on any particular date. A 100 year detailed account of the history of the chemical site Knapsack can be found on the website and it’s just a click away!
We hope you enjoy leafing through and reading the virtual pages of this chronicle!
The founding years:
Die Deutsche Carbid Aktiengeselschaft (The German Carbide Corporation) starts producing calcium cyanamide and calcium carbide in Knapsack. In 1909 the name of the company is changed to Aktiengesellschaft für Stickstoffdünger, Knapsack bei Köln (Corporation for Nitrogen Fertilizer, Knapsack, near Cologne).
Hoechst enters Knapsack. Hoechst becomes a shareholder and founds the Knapsacker Organische Chemie (Knapsack Organic Chemicals) and then constructs an acetic acid plant.
The administration is moved from Knapsack to Cologne. An employee pension fund is established. Construction of the first carbide furnace with a triangular arrangement of electrodes.
The Knapsack Sower - Granulated calcium cyanamide for agricultural purposes, carbide and its derivative acetylenes create the basis for acetic acid and acetic anhydride. Dedication of an own workshop for apprentices.
War, devastation and a new beginning: On 28 October 1944 Knapsack is almost completely destroyed in an air strike. 2000 employees loose their livelihood.
Companies dealing in phosphorus chemicals move to Knapsack. Condensed phosphates revolutionize washing technology. The petro-chemical industry emerges providing ethylene and propylene as a cost-effective raw material for the synthesis of organic chemicals and synthetics.
Knapsack emerges as an economic wonder due to carbide, phosphorus, chlorine and organic chemistry. The new works area Hürth is founded. Acetylene begins to loose its importance as a raw material. Environmental protection becomes an independent field.
New divisions in the Hoechst Works Knapsack – the development of specialty, synthetic and crop protection product production.
Chemical production peaks: A turnover of two billion German Marks is achieved due to the production of chemical products, including organic chemicals, chlorine, carbide and phosphorus, as well as specialized chemicals, synthetics and crop protection products.
The reorganization of Hoechst is initiated by the former Chairman of the Board, Mr. Jürgen Dormann. The Chemical Park Knapsack and InfraServ Knapsack are founded. The Hoechst era comes to an end. The “open” chemical park is a model for a new industrial structure. The Chemical Park Knapsack offers companies attractive and consolidated production opportunities.
Restructuring of the chlorine industry and modernization in line with world-market levels - Financial companies join as owners of Vinnolit, Basell and CABB. Celanese withdraws and the plants HDPE Basell, azo and Clariant’s SKS 6 are shut down.
2004: Construction of the Depal plant – Clariant
2005: begin of construction of the GuD Kraftwerk (gas and steam power plant)
2006: construction begins on EBS-Kraftwerk (refuse derived fuel power plant)
2007: 100 year site jubilee