The current situation with regard to the national and international chemicals market is characterized by the long-term slowing of the economy. The chemicals industry is suffering from reduced consumer activity, in particular in its role as manufacturer of upmarket goods. However, diversified conglomerates such as Clariant AG who operate globally and take leading positions in numerous areas have good chances despite the current situation. The production plants, including the automation technology used, represent an important factor in terms of competitiveness. At Clariant in Gersthofen this was addressed in cooperation with the experienced system specialists at ProLeiT.

The history of the Clariant company began in summer 1995, when the parent company Swiss Clariant AG was created on the occasion of the spin-off of the chemicals division of Sandoz by means of an initial public offering. In the course of the takeover of the specialized chemicals business by Hoechst in 1997, the Gersthofen plant was among others integrated into the company. Clariant currently employs around 1200 individuals at the Gersthofen Industrial Park – a large proportion of the 6500 employees in Germany distributed across a total of 12 locations. On the premises located at Lech there are also research and development facilities in addition to the 13 production plants. These include a modern laboratory and a technical facility used to develop production processes from the laboratory stage to large-scale production.

In order to also keep production itself in line with the latest developments and with a view to optimizing efficiency and transparency, extensive efforts have been made for some years to eliminate island solutions with regard to automation in a step-by-step manner. However, procurement of a standardized structure is therefore difficult, as changes to hardware and software, which for example affect the control and monitoring of plant sections, must be undertaken during operations. Shutdown of the units was only possible under the most difficult conditions and at high cost. This meant that successes in modernization projects for plants for the manufacture of PE waxes and migration of a wax milling plant to a new system were even more enjoyable. On both occasions ProLeiT AG in Herzogenaurach, specialized in process control systems and automation solutions for the process industry, was chosen as partner.