Chemiepark Knapsack, Werksteil Hürth

You might be surprised to learn that the Chemiepark Knapsack, Werksteil Huerth, was once an active mine. It was here, in the heart of the Rhineland’s industrial landscape, that the story of this chemical park began. Imagine, a huge pit, filled with brown coal, a vital resource for Cologne and its surrounding areas. In 1960, the pit was filled with a different kind of resource, one that would shape the landscape and lead to the growth of the chemical industry. That year, Hoechst AG purchased the former mine site, known as the Huertherberg, as an expansion to the existing Chemiepark Knapsack. The first plant to be built on the site was a chlorine production facility. The site quickly grew, and new production facilities for chemicals including acetaldehyde, phosphorus pentasulfide, and vinyl chloride opened in the following years. Today, the Werksteil Huerth remains a central part of the Chemiepark Knapsack, a vibrant and complex industrial landscape home to a variety of chemical companies, including Vinnolit, CABB, and Bayer Crop Science. The site exemplifies the evolution of industry from a raw material extraction site to a hub for advanced chemical production. As you stand here, looking around you, it’s easy to see how this place has transformed over time. While the industrial past may be hidden beneath layers of concrete and machinery, it still remains a powerful presence in the story of this site.