2026_Leverkusen
As part of this year’s 16th SEC technology tour, we visited Chempark Leverkusen from 9 September to 11 September 2026.
The history of the chemical city of Leverkusen began in 1863/64 with the establishment of a plant to manufacture ultramarine and alizarin (1875) by the pharmacist and chemical entrepreneur Carl Leverkus (1804–1889). He is the namesake of the city of Leverkusen. In 1891, Bayer took over the dye factory and remains one of the largest companies in Chempark to this day. Even after more than 100 years, the Bayer Cross is still the landmark of the city of Leverkusen and is known worldwide. Chempark Leverkusen is currently home to around 200 companies across an area of approximately 480 hectares. Responsibility for the management and administration of the chemical park has passed to Currenta GmbH.
After a two-hour bus tour of the site and a light meal, we had the opportunity to learn more about a plant specialising in process analytical technology (presentations and a live link-up). We then unwound with a visit to the Japanese garden near the site, followed by a group dinner in the evening at the “Löwe” restaurant (formerly the Bayer Casino).