THE Platform for Performance and Process Chemicals for Industrial Users

Statement by TEGEWA & VCI in Connection with BAT* – Textile Industry

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) presented a draft regulation at the beginning of 2025 to implement the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and the BAT conclusions for textiles into German law. The somewhat cumbersome title of the draft is: “Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Umsetzung des Durchführungsbeschlusses (EU) 2022/2508 über Schlussfolgerungen zu den besten verfügbaren Techniken in Bezug auf die Textilindustrie.” The revised draft was sent to the relevant associations for comment as part of the consultation process under § 51 of the Federal Immissionsschutzgesetz (BImSchG).

This administrative regulation aims to transpose the requirements of the 2022 BAT conclusions for textiles and the revised IED Directive into national law. It includes extensive provisions on emission limit values, technical measures, and monitoring obligations. The impact on the textile industry is therefore enormous.

*BAT = Best Available Techniques

Election of TEGEWA Board 2024-2026

On June 7th, 2024, the association’s general meeting took place in Aachen. In addition to intensive exchange and fruitful discussions within the specialist groups and during the general meeting itself, the regular election of the board for 2024 – 2026, as well as the treasurer and auditors, was on the agenda.

The composition of the board is as follows:

The new chairman of the association is Mark Dohmen, Archroma. The deputy chairpersons are Birgit Holz, CHT, and Soeren Hildebrandt, BASF. The treasurer of the association is Ben Jones, Sasol.

The other board members:

Holger Bender, Pulcra
Karl-Ludwig Gibis, Clariant (since March 2025, Hermann Bach is representing Clariant on the board)
Wolfgang Goertz, Evonik
Felix Grimm, Zschimmer & Schwarz
Joachim Henkmann, Stahl
Florian Krückl, Kolb
Kristina Platkowski, Schill + Seilacher
Dietrich Tegtmeyer, TFL (since October 2024, Bianca Verstegen is representing TFL on the board)

As auditors were confirmed:

Michael Fleig, Sinarmas CEPSA
Friedrich Petry, Dr. Petry Textilchemie

© Katrin Heyer

from left to right: Florian Krückl, Karl-Ludwig Gibis, Wolfgang Goertz, Birgit Holz, Ralf Kattanek (Managing Director TEGEWA), Ben Jones, Holger Bender, Soeren Hildebrandt, Felix Grimm, Dietrich Tegtmeyer, Mark Dohmen, Joachim Henkmann (Missing: Kristina Platkowski)

TEGEWA for open-mindedness and tolerance

The association TEGEWA operates with member companies in Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, among other countries. It maintains close and friendly connections with associations, institutions, and colleagues across Europe and even globally. The association is an industry organization that doesn’t just preach tolerance and openness but has been living these values for decades. Our committee members have roots in Europe, Africa, America, or the Asian continent. What matters is their expertise, the excellent personal exchange, collegial interaction, and mutual trust.

Despite valid criticism of individual European (chemical) legislation and legislative processes, we appreciate the European Union and the removal of trade barriers, free trade, and the security that common EU legislation provides. We recognize the challenges that the United Kingdom faces after Brexit and consider a “Dexit” not only as an alternative but also as the greatest imaginable harm to Germany.

And despite (economic and political) criticism of current German legislation, we are grateful for the democratic system in which we live. We appreciate living in a country whose government, out of necessity, seeks solutions to migration issues while being aware that we urgently need foreign skilled workers to address demographic and industrial challenges today and tomorrow. Large parts of the industrial sectors we represent are significantly affected by the shortage of skilled workers.

The association aligns with the statements of numerous business associations that view a Europe- and foreigner-hostile party as destructive. Both economically and socially, we reject such “alternatives” for Germany – even though we consider ourselves independent and impartial, a stance we’ve maintained since our founding in 1951. 

We would like to point out in this context the tenth European election, which will take place on June 9, 2024, and whose results will also have an impact on our country: every vote for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law counts!