Leuna Dialog 2026 Impresses with Strong Response and In-Depth Discussion in Turbulent Times

With another strong turnout from industry, the service sector, research, and politics, the “Leuna-Dialog 2026” trade fair took place yesterday, Thursday, at the cCe Kulturhaus Leuna. The 21st edition of the regional trade fair brought together more than 120 exhibitors and numerous trade visitors from all over Germany, once again confirming the importance of in-person interaction, particularly given the challenging economic situation facing the chemical industry. The fair was once again organized by InfraLeuna GmbH, the operator and infrastructure service provider at the Leuna chemical site.

The Leuna-Dialog 2026 was opened by Dr. Christof Günther, Managing Director of InfraLeuna GmbH, together with Elisabeth Kaiser, Minister of State and Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany at the Federal Ministry of Finance, who addressed the participants with a video message.

Dr. Christof Günther called for urgently needed structural reforms of German and European energy, climate, and raw materials policies, but expressed confidence in the future viability of Leuna as a chemical industry hub.

“The chemical industry in Germany is in a state of acute crisis. Berlin and Brussels must respond with a rescue program. The industrial electricity price is a first small step, but it is far from sufficient. Instead of further impending tightening, we need substantial relief in European emissions trading,” said Christof Günther.

Numerous investments and construction projects – including those by UPM Biochemicals, TOPAS Advanced Polymers, the DLR project, Linde’s electrolysis initiatives, and the new MicroHarvest facility – along with InfraLeuna’s infrastructure investments, underscore the site’s dynamic development. Furthermore, the acquisition of DOMO Caproleuna GmbH by Leuna Polyamid GmbH secures an important production area and enables its strategic further development. “The acquisition of this plant complex by InfraLeuna and LEUNA-Harze is a unique development in the German chemical industry that will secure synergies and competitiveness for Leuna as a chemical hub,” Christof Günther is convinced.

Elisabeth Kaiser shared this assessment and expressly praised the site’s development: “It is wonderful to witness the strength and innovative power of the Leuna site here. Despite global challenges, Leuna is demonstrating its resilience through dynamic growth and the preservation of 440 jobs at Leuna Polyamid GmbH.” With its 110-year tradition, the Leuna Chemical Park stands as a model for the future of the chemical industry. The federal government supports the sector with the ‘Chemistry Agenda 2045’ and is committed to sustainability and innovation. Our goal is clear: Germany must remain a global leader in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors.”

The District Administrator of the Saale District in Saxony-Anhalt, Hartmut Handschak; the Mayor of Leuna, Michael Bedla; and Sebastian Müller-Bahr, Mayor of Merseburg, also addressed the exhibitors and visitors at the trade fair, emphasizing the close ties between the chemical industry, the region, and the local communities.

Numerous discussions among industry, service providers, researchers, and policymakers reflected the current challenges facing the sector, yet also revealed a clear determination to actively shape future prospects. Companies showcased proven and new technologies as well as sustainable solutions, while expert presentations and panel discussions provided valuable insights for the site’s future.

Jan Philipp Birke, Head of Operations at MicroHarvest GmbH, kicked off the morning session. In his presentation, he outlined the Hamburg-based biotech company’s planned expansion into the Leuna chemical hub. This move marks MicroHarvest’s transition from technology development to industrial-scale production. MicroHarvest uses biotechnological fermentation processes to produce sustainable protein ingredients on an industrial scale – independent of seasonal variations, soil conditions, and supply chain fluctuations. Birke emphasized that Leuna, with its established industrial infrastructure, available utilities, and agricultural surroundings, offers ideal conditions for rapidly translating new production concepts into large-scale industrial reality. The establishment of the facility exemplifies the next generation of industrial biotechnology and positions Leuna as a hub for a sustainable European food industry.

In the afternoon, trade show visitors also had the opportunity to learn from a presentation by Helge Schröter, Head of Production for the Eastern Region at Linde Gas Produktionsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, how Linde is building out the future supply of sustainable hydrogen to industrial customers using the planned electrolysis technologies at the Leuna site. The focus was on the future service offering as well as the role of 5 MW alkali electrolysis and 24 MW PEM electrolysis, which together are intended to enable a secure, scalable, and demand-driven hydrogen supply. Using the Leuna site as an example, Schröter explained how industrial companies can be supported in the long term in implementing their decarbonization strategies.

The presentation by Sebastian Ludwig, Head of Logistics at InfraLeuna GmbH, provided a practical conclusion. He introduced the new central heating terminal for rail tank cars, which went into operation in early 2026. Against the backdrop of changing global supply chains, Ludwig explained how temperature-sensitive materials, particularly sulfur, can be made reliably unloadable again through controlled, centralized heating processes. With the new heating infrastructure, InfraLeuna is creating a high-performance platform that both on-site customers and external companies can integrate into their logistics concepts.

Leuna-Dialog 2026 took place in a special year: InfraLeuna GmbH is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026. Three decades of operations and continuous infrastructure expansion form the foundation for Leuna’s continued status as an attractive production site, even in times of upheaval. At the same time, the trade fair demonstrated that, despite difficult economic conditions, the Leuna chemical site possesses the capacity to act, a willingness to innovate, and a resilient network. “Leuna-Dialog embodies what makes our site strong: exchange, partnership, and a shared vision for the future. The trade fair demonstrates that the Leuna chemical site has a future even in challenging times and is being actively shaped. To this end, we at InfraLeuna will continue to provide high-performance infrastructure and consistently promote dialogue,” said Dr. Christof Günther, Managing Director of InfraLeuna GmbH.