In accordance with our code of conduct, we are committed to responsibility and integrity – including in our dealings with political parties and non-governmental organizations. We represent our political interests in a way that is consistent with the positions we have expressed publicly. In our work with political entities, we focus on concrete issues and are open to dialogue with any democratic parties.

WACKER takes an active role in trying to influence energy policies. During the period under review, we made the following contributions to political opinion:

• We support the renewable energy transition, especially the expansion of solar energy and wind power as two main sources for Germany’s future energy mix. 
• The German Renewable Energy Act (EEG) must be developed further to make the expansion of renewable energy more cost-efficient. To this end, the present method of calculating the EEG levy must be revised. Wind and solar energy are causing prices to fall on the energy exchange. However, the price reduction causes the EEG levy to increase. This structural problem must be solved.
• As an industrial company with a high energy demand, we need globally competitive electricity prices and a secure power supply.
• We oppose any kind of punitive tariffs on solar modules and materials for photovoltaics. They artificially raise the cost of solar products, reduce solar energy’s competitiveness and ultimately slow down the worldwide energy transition and climate protection.

In 2011, WACKER opened a liaison office in Berlin to better represent the company’s political interests. In addition, we regularly extend invitations to politicians for discussions and tours at our sites.

National and international associations – especially Europe’s CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council), the USA’s ACC (American Chemistry Council) and Germany’s VCI (Chemical Industry Association) – serve as a platform for our expertise. Working within these bodies, we examine issues ranging from plant, product and occupational safety to environmental protection, nanotechnology and industrial (“white”) biotechnology. Our experts are also active in trade associations such as Deutsche Bauchemie (German construction-chemicals association), where issues include sustainable construction.

WACKER is a founding member of the ChemDelta Bavaria initiative, which was established in 2007. Companies in this chemistry research and production triangle want to improve and expand the region’s economic competitiveness – in harmony with its communities and the environment. These companies have invested around €3 billion in the region over recent years. Improving the regional infrastructure is a major focus of ChemDelta Bavaria, which counts WACKER and its Burghausen site as one of its cornerstones. In addition to upgrading rail services, the initiative’s infrastructure goals include expanding the A94 freeway between Munich and Passau – a stretch that is currently only partially complete.

During the period under review, ChemDelta Bavaria gave presentations at a parliamentary evening in Berlin and for members of the EU parliament in Brussels as part of the Bavarian Industry Day. WACKER is also advocating a scientific competence center for electrochemistry in the Bavarian Chemical Triangle. This kind of research and education center, which would focus on energy storage, could be established in cooperation with the Technical University of Munich and with industry. Offers of research work would be aimed, above all, at advanced students and doctoral candidates.