Ulm/Mergelstetten, September 23, 2025 – Manuel Hagel, CDU state and parliamentary group leader and leading candidate for the 2026 state election, visited the SCHWENK Baustoffgruppe cement plant in Mergelstetten on September 22, 2025. He was accompanied by state parliament representatives Winfried Mack and Tim Bückner, Mr. Markus Maier, president of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and other members of the executive committee.

Thilo Rentschler, Chief Executive of the East Württemberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and other regional stakeholders. The discussion focused on current industrial policy challenges and the future prospects for the cement industry.

A key topic in this context was the decarbonization of the industry. Future technologies such as carbon capture and utilization (CCS/CCU), sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and new chemical products were discussed.

From SCHWENK’s perspective, the expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure and reliable regulatory conditions are crucial for the future viability of the industry. The company considers onshore CO₂ storage in Baden-Württemberg to be the most important building block for achieving climate targets, as the regulatory framework for CCU is not yet foreseeable.

Manuel Hagel’s visit underscores the importance of exchange between politics and business and sent another signal about the innovative strength and cooperative partnership in East Württemberg.