International learning expedition at WACKER Nünchritz: experts discuss raw material security and climate change mitigation

IDEALIST project and WACKER send a clear signal in favour of close exchange between industry, science and politics with international learning expedition

WACKER demonstrates how raw materials, and energy can be used sustainably at the Nünchritz site and CO₂ emissions reduced

Proven approaches strengthen sustainability, security of supply and innovative strength of European industries

The knowledge gained flows into the European dialog

Nünchritz , Oct 30, 2025

Around 30 experts from the European Union and Germany visited WACKER’s Nünchritz site, the largest chemical plant in Saxony, today as part of the EU consortium project IDEALIST. The IDEALIST project brings together EU clusters in key industrial ecosystems: energy-intensive industries, aerospace and defense, and mobility, transport and automotive. The visit was organized as part of an international learning expedition. On the agenda were key issues concerning the chemical industry, such as innovative production, sustainable raw material cycles, climate-friendly production processes, and supply chain stability.

Site Manager Jutta Matreux (centre) and GKZ Managing Director Wolfgang Reimer (5th from right, front), one of the organisers of the exchange alongside Chemie-Cluster Bayern, with the international group of visitors. Photo: WACKER.

Learning expedition in Nünchritz: During a tour of the infrastructure and technical discussions at WACKER's Nünchritz site, Site Manager Dr. Jutta Matreux demonstrated how raw materials are recirculated at the site and how industrial processes are being transitioned to climate neutral alternatives: waste or by-products generated in a particular production step are fed back into a production step elsewhere, for instance as raw materials or in the form of energy. Thanks to this efficient integrated production system, the Nünchritz site has been able to consistently reduce its raw material and energy consumption for decades and conserve resources.

Backed by its long-standing expertise in energy-efficient production processes, the use of renewable energies and the consistent reduction of CO₂ emissions, WACKER was able to share valuable insights and practical solutions with the experts representing the energy-intensive industries, aerospace and defense, and the mobility, transport and automotive sectors. The aim of the expedition was to provide the impetus for a sustainable and competitive industry. The fourth learning expedition, which brought the partners and members of the European consortium project IDEALIST to Germany, was organized by Geokompetenzzentrum Freiberg e.V. (GKZ) and Chemie-Cluster Bayern.

Shared responsibility for sustainable value creation

The learning expeditions aim to sharpen the focus on the levers needed to achieve Europe’s climate targets. WACKER has set itself the goal of achieving climate-neutral production by 2045. “The transition to a climate-neutral and competitive chemical industry can only be successful if business, research and government institutions work together closely,” emphasized Jutta Matreux at today’s gathering.

Learning expeditions like this one underline the importance of international exchange: collaboration between partners and members allows us to directly share tried-and-tested examples from practice and implement new ideas more quickly. “The IDEALIST project brings together experts from all over Europe to actively shape the transformation of energy-intensive industries while simultaneously strengthening their international competitiveness, ultimately making them more resilient,” explained Dr. Wolfgang Reimer, Managing Director of GKZ Freiberg, the mining and metallurgy cluster based in Freiberg, Saxony. Earlier, on the previous day, the participants had already explored technology cycles and raw material supply systems in the chemical and railway technology industries.

Looking ahead

With this learning expedition, WACKER and the IDEALIST project sent a clear signal encouraging close international cooperation between industry, research and policymakers. The insights gained at the expedition will feed into the European dialogue and back concrete steps aimed in equal measure at raw material supply security, price stability and climate protection. The partners are thus making a significant contribution to a sustainable industry – for the benefit of the economy, society and the environment. At the same time, European clusters play an important role in initiating and facilitating research and development and boosting the competitiveness of SMEs and large corporations alike.

WACKER’s Nünchritz site

Spread over an area of 1.3 million square meters, WACKER’s Nünchritz chemical site employs over 1,500 people. From 1998 to date, the chemical company has invested more than €1.8 billion in the site, or, to be more precise, in the latest and most efficient technologies to reduce emissions, wastewater, and waste. And with considerable success; the highly integrated production system ensures the maximum recovery of byproducts. At the same time, WACKER has continued optimizing its raw material and energy consumption in recent years.

Silanes, silicones, pyrogenic silica and polycrystalline silicon for solar installations are among the company’s most important products. Each year, on average, over 80 apprentices complete their training at WACKER. In addition to being a member of Saxony's Environmental Alliance, the Nünchritz site is also certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 and ISO 22716.

www.wacker.com/nuenchritz

Geokompetenzzentrum Freiberg e. V. (GKZ)

GKZ is a network comprising stakeholders from industry, research, and specialist regulatory authorities along the entire value chain of the mining and metallurgy industry. Its members combine their expertise in the exploration, mining, and extraction of mineral raw materials, including the recycling and metallurgical production thereof. In addition, its competence and service portfolios cover important transformation processes in the area of climate neutrality, such as the extraction and storage of geothermal energy and hydrogen, as well as specialist geotechnical services. The association is thus one of the larger clusters in Germany and is mainly active at the European level. As a member of the European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources, it advises the European Commission on research and innovation issues. The non-profit association is represented in the EU Cluster Collaboration Platform and is linked to networks of several European mining regions and chemical sites. Its flagship event is the Saxony Raw Materials Day, which will be held for the 17th time on November 10, 2025, in Dresden. This year's event will focus on raw material security, geopolitics, defense, and the energy transition.

www.gkz-ev.de

Chemie-Cluster Bayern, the Bavarian chemical industry cluster

Chemie-Cluster Bayern is a network comprising over 120 companies, start-ups, and research institutions from the fields of chemistry, materials development, and industrial biotechnology.

By individually networking member companies and solution providers with Bavarian SMEs, Chemie-Cluster Bayern facilitates the transfer of scientific findings, the latest technological developments, and innovations into industrial applications. The chemical cluster thus plays a specific role in strengthening the knowledge base and innovative strength of companies in Bavaria and within the network.

Furthermore, Chemie-Cluster Bayern also supports its network members in acquiring funding and forging R&D alliances. The cluster’s service portfolio also includes technology scouting, providing support in business development and tapping new markets, as well as projects and services tailored to specific requirements.

www.chemiecluster-bayern.de