Phoenix from the ashes. The image fits, because after the fateful fire of 1996, the plant in Lingen is not simply rebuilt. No, from then on it has become more modern, sustainable, and efficient than ever. To this day, Lingen is a showcase factory. However, it is traditionally regarded as a blueprint for quality and high production standards at Baerlocher, in times of new production sites in the various regions of the world. The expertise in plant construction acquired in Lingen is what makes greenfield investments possible in the first place on an international scale. Lingen also plays a pioneering role in Baerlocher's sustainability strategy and is exemplary for the sister companies worldwide, with regard to certifications including EcoVadis and VinylPlus and a systematically calculated CO2 footprint for the entire production. Lingen cannot and will not rest on its laurels. Instead, they are sharpening their own profile, streamlining their portfolio, and refocusing. In the anniversary year 2023, a new application technology laboratory for the special additives (SPA) business unit will open for the entire group. This is an investment that not only accelerates development cycles but can also be seen as a commitment of the shareholders to Germany, as an industrial location in challenging times. Since February 2022, Lingen has also had a new Managing Director Dr. Thomas Doege, who is responsible for the development of Baerlocher GmbH and thus also for the Lingen site. A clear gain in independence for Lingen, but also in individual responsibility within the Baerlocher Group.

It is a process of growth and development that Mario Kock has also accompanied over many years. After 1996, the trained chemical technician was not only involved in the reconstruction of the plant, but also in bringing the production and quality know-how from Lingen to the constantly growing Baerlocher world. In 1988, the native of Lingen joined Baerlocher as an apprentice. After years abroad, where he was responsible for the commissioning of the production facilities in the USA and Malaysia, among other things, he returned to Lingen, where, step by step, a long-cherished dream came true for him: as production manager. Kock now supervises the production lines of the entire plant, which he knows like the back of his hand and which he has helped to shape in detail.

24 February 2022: Thomas Doege's start has a bitter aftertaste after three weeks. Energy crisis, porous supply chains - the global economic consequences of the large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine that begins on this day are quickly felt in Lingen as well. Onboarding is anything but easy. But Doege's personal drive makes him head for big goals: "We want to become fit for the sustainable plastics industry. People today simply demand different products. We have to be prepared for that. The plastics industry is facing a huge transformation." The same also applies to the Lingen site, as having a managing director of one's own at the site means a clear upgrade, but also a clear increase in decision-making. Thomas Doege clearly sees Lingen's future in concentrating on the essentials, in streamlining the portfolio. "In Lingen there is the possibility to do everything. And there is a temptation to do that. The challenge is to tighten that up."

It is certainly only one test of many that the factory will have to pass in the future. "Our biggest challenge is to remain competitive in the current conditions. We have good products, but it is becoming more and more difficult to produce them at reasonable costs with rising energy prices. In the next few years, we will be judged by how we deal with this," declares Mario Kock. Here, the Lingen site also benefits from its often proved resilience. Ideas for sustainable production do exist. A hydrogen hub is currently being set up in Lingen and the surrounding area. Chemical production based on green hydrogen? This is more than conceivable for Dr. Thomas Doege. Thanks to a modern application technology infrastructure the product development in the field of SPA is also being given new impetus in Lingen. Promising projects, for example in the fields of hydrophobicising building materials, recycling or thickening fats, can be advanced in a concentrated manner. In general, Baerlocher's contribution to a more sustainable plastics and recycling economy is important. It is also about anticipating solutions for developments that will only cause customers headaches in a few years' time, but which need to be seen today. In Lingen, the company is seizing the future by the horns - and thus shaping its own transformation: Emsland virtues such as diligence and precision as well as a loyal workforce help in this. Mario Kock: "It is an interesting industry with a good collective agreement. In the long run, it is not just the money that motivates your employees. We have almost no staff turnover. That is also a perfect match for the location and for our corporate culture."