Saxony gets two large research centers. Politics and science in the Free State are cheering, business is also happy – and has expectations.
Dresden (dpa/sn) – The decision for two new research centers in Lusatia and in the central German area has caused enthusiasm and pride in Saxony and at the same time raised expectations. Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) spoke of a “milestone” for structural change in the lignite mining areas. “It’s a real game changer, something completely new is being created here,” said the CDU politician at the announcement in Berlin. Confidence can already be felt in the regions “that this structural change could really be different this time than what we experienced after 1990”. It should be “first new things arise before the old ends”.
According to Kretschmer, 1.2 billion euros each for the German Research Center for Astrophysics (DZA) and the Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) are “unprecedented priorities”. With the excellence, interdisciplinarity and internationality of the DAZ, great things will be created in Lusatia. “We deliberately want immigration to these regions.” The Free State also relies on knowledge transfer to the economy and spin-offs.
Saxony, together with Saxony-Anhalt, is happy about the contract for the CTC in the central German district. “The history of chemistry” could be restarted there, as other processes and raw materials are needed for production with a view to climate protection and sustainability, said Kretschmer. “This is the opportunity to rebuild this chemical industry from Central Germany.”
Professor Günther Hasinger, scientific director of the European Space Agency ESA and designated DZA founding director, spoke of an “important sign for the future in difficult times”. After putting the concept through its paces, “we are happy that we can now implement our plan”. Lusatia in Saxony is “an ideal place for this” for many reasons.
Economics Minister Martin Dulig (SPD) already sees “a signal of departure and confidence in the districts”. Because research is always an important basis for future value creation. “In the medium and long term, the two centers will therefore give impetus to the economy in the entire Free State and far beyond.” The election also speaks for the growing competence of Saxony.
“Both concepts have the potential to generate completely new innovations that will eventually become applications and thus attractive for companies to settle in,” said Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow (CDU). The portfolio of the DZA is so diverse that it will create jobs in the scientific and even more in the non-scientific area.
There was also applause from the research community. Rector Ursula M. Staudinger pointed out that the TU Dresden will bring “outstanding expertise in the areas of data analytics, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and green electronics” to the DZA and will also be involved in the development of the CTC. The University of Leipzig wants to contribute to “mastering the new major challenge for the chemical industry: to become largely independent of fossil energy and raw material sources,” said Rector Eva Inés Obergfell. The Helmholtz Society sees the DZA as a “perfect partner with a focus on the fields of physics and data science. In the scientific community, Germany could “take on a leading global role in this research segment in the coming years,” said President Otmar D.
The reactions from industry were also positive. IHK and Leipzig Chamber of Crafts see the potential of the CTC to “initiate major developments”. Through innovative solutions for the chemical industry, it will contribute to the creation of new jobs for skilled workers, increase the economic attractiveness of the region and promote investments and settlements. The Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce is cautious about the potential of the DZA in terms of jobs, securing the future and compensating for lost value creation. Because basic research might not lead to practical applications for another 30 to 50 years. The head of the Silicon Saxony high-tech network, Dirk Röhrborn, described the expert commission’s decision as “similarly groundbreaking to Saxony’s industrial policy of the post-reunification years, which thought in terms of decades and not electoral periods”.
