WRITTEN QUESTION E-1446/99 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Subsidised relocation of Akcros Chemicals B.V. from Roermond to Greiz.
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU employment policy, EU financing, European Regional Development Fund, Germany, Netherlands, State aid, Structural Funds, chemical industry, investment aid, job creation, job cuts, transfer of businesses

18.7.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/1

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(Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

(2000/C 203 E/001)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1446/99

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Subsidised relocation of Akcros Chemicals B.V. from Roermond to Greiz

1.
Is the Commission aware that Akcros Chemicals B.V. (formerly Haagen Chemie, owned by AKZO
Nobel Chemicals) which produces lead and metal stearates and non-vinyl semi-finished products for the
plastics industry intends to close its establishment in Roermond (Limburg, Netherlands) with 1 200
workers instead of carrying out
transferring production to the Limax site
(also owned by Akcros) in Roermond-East, which is due to be developed?

intention of

its original

2.
Is the Commission also aware that the reason given by AKZO Nobel for this closure in Roermond (cid:129)
a town with a high level of unemployment by Dutch standards (cid:129) is an investment subsidy of 35 % which
it is being given to transfer non-vinyl production to Greiz (Thuringia, Germany) while the production of
lead stearates is to be transferred to D(cid:252)ren (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)?

3.
Can the Commission say whether this transfer is being wholly or partially funded by European Union
money? If so, why? How does the expected growth in the number of jobs in Greiz match up to the
expected job losses in Roermond? What are the costs of each new job?

4.
Does the Commission think it right that promoting employment in an area with a shortage of jobs
should be carried out by using public subsidies to take jobs away from another area where there is also a
shortage? If not, what is the Commission intending to do to stop firms(cid:146) unnecessary juggling with jobs and
the loss of employment?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 1999)

The Commission does not receive information on the commercial activities of private companies such as
AKZO Nobel Chemicals except where matters of Community law are involved. With regard to the
reorganisation of AKZO(cid:146)s production facilities, the Commission has been informed by the authorities of
the Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen, that no Community or national assistance has been granted to the plant
in D(cid:252)ren.

The Land of Th(cid:252)ringen has indicated that a subsidy of DM 2 120 000 from the European regional
development fund (ERDF), representing 50 % of the total public aid, has been granted to the AKROS
Chemicals plant
investment premium scheme
operating in Germany, the so-called (cid:145)Gemeinschaftsaufgabe Regional Wirtschaftsf(cid:246)rderung(cid:146). The scheme
has been approved by the Commission under the rules governing competition policy in accordance with
Article 87.3.a of the EC Treaty (ex-Article 92).

in Greiz. The grant was awarded under the national

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Th(cid:252)ringen is eligible both as an Objective 1 region under the structural funds and as an area eligible for
state aids under Community competition policy. Th(cid:252)ringen receives support from the structural funds in
order to promote catching up with the rest of Europe in socioeconomic terms, and some of this support is
used to attract capital investment to the region. The award of a subsidy to AKROS Chemicals is intended
to enable around 150 jobs to be safeguarded at the Greiz plant. Total public support per job amounts to
around DM 28 000.

For the next round of structural funds programmes beginning next year, under Article 30 of Regulation
(CE) no 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999, laying down the general provisions of the structural funds (1), new
conditions will apply to the granting of Community aid in such circumstances. In effect, the regulation
requires that the Member States seek reimbursement of Community aid granted to an operation if there is
a substantial modification resulting notably from a cessation or change in the location of a productive
activity within five years of the date of the decision granting such support.

In the guidelines for the new programmes published by the Commission in June 1999, it is also stated that
the structural funds should not be used for the mere relocation of existing activities.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2000/C 203 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1481/99

by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Pollution resulting from the war in Kosovo

During the war in Kosovo, NATO bombing attacks were deliberately targeted on refineries and chemical
plants, in other words industries which pose a serious risk to the environment.

The levels of pollution caused are extremely high on account of the strong concentrations of nitrogen and
sulphur oxide and other toxic chemicals which have polluted the air, the ground water and all the rivers in
the region, including the Danube which is now full of toxins which are discharged into the Black Sea.
The use of impoverished uranium weapons (containing 97,8 % Uranium 238) has created clouds of
radioactive dust which give off radiation and may lead to the development of tumours.

Has the Commission prepared a specific emergency aid plan to combat the environmental pollution

1.
which has affected all of the region(cid:146)s inhabitants indiscriminately?

2. What sum of money has it set aside for the implementation of such a plan?

3. What urgent action has it taken to monitor air flows which are capable of transporting the
radioactive dust?

4. What urgent action does it intend to take to clean up sources of drinking water?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the replies it gave to Oral Questions H-429/99
by Mr Alavanos and H-431/99 by Mr Papayannakis during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s September 1999
part-session (1).

The Commission would add that it has taken a leading role in the broader international effort through
actions carried out by its humanitarian office and the task force for reconstruction of Kosovo (TAFKO).
The problem of polluted drinking water is recognised and being addressed in particular through the