Ever wondered about a place where industry and history intertwine? That place is Lülsdorf. Lülsdorf is a part of Niederkassel near Cologne. Its story stretches back over a century.
Lülsdorf’s history began in 1913. Hugo Stinnes and Dr. Meyer Wildermann founded a company here. It was named Deutsche Wildermannwerke. The location was chosen well. It was near the Rhine and accessible by road and rail. The factory produced chemicals.
The factory initially produced potassium chlorate. This was used in explosives during WWI. After the war Lülsdorf became part of Koholyt AG. The factory focused on corundum production. Corundum is an abrasive material.
The global economic crisis in 1930 brought changes. Feldmühle AG acquired Koholyt AG. The factory was renamed Feldmühle Papier- und Zellstoffwerke AG Werk Koholyt Lülsdorf. The new owners expanded production.
During WWII Lülsdorf employed prisoners of war. They came from Ukraine Poland and other countries.
After the war potash production was added. Hugo Stinnes jun supported this. He was chairman of the Board of Directors at Feldmühle AG.
In 1959 Feldmühle AG acquired a large share of Dynamit Aktiengesellschaft. The Lülsdorf factory became Dynamit Nobel AG Werk Feldmühle Lülsdorf. This was significant for PVC production. Lülsdorf could now produce vinyl chloride. Ethylene was transported via pipes under the Rhine. It came from a refinery in Wesseling.
Lülsdorf expanded into specialty chemistry. This started with alkali alcoholates. Later they produced orthoesters like TMOF and TEOF. These are still produced today.
In 1967 dimethyl terephthalate production was added. This component is used for polyester. The product range at Lülsdorf was now at its broadest.
Dynamit Nobel acquired the land in 1968. The factory became Dynamit Nobel AG Werk Lülsdorf. In 1988 it was sold to Hüls AG. It then traded as Hüls AG Werk Lülsdorf. Since 2007 Lülsdorf has been part of Evonik Industries.
Today Lülsdorf Functional Solutions GmbH operates here. It is part of ICIG. The site produces potassium carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate. These are used in agrochemicals food and pharmaceuticals.
Lülsdorf Functional Solutions is ISO certified. It meets quality environmental and energy management standards. The company focuses on safe manufacturing. It also respects the environment.
The Lülsdorf site has grown into an important regional employer. It has around 500 employees. It stands as a testament to industrial evolution. It shows how a factory can adapt and thrive over a century. Lülsdorf has a rich history. It continues to be a vital industrial site.