FLUXUM Gernsheim Advances Site Development

After a project period of almost 3.5 years, the Gernsheim city council has approved a zoning plan amendment for the eastern site of FLUXUM Gernsheim, initiated by Merck. This marks an important milestone in the development of FLUXUM Gernsheim, benefiting not only the site itself but the entire region.

The new zoning plan establishes a modern framework that allows for more intensive use and contemporary development of the site. The previous plan dated back to 1992 and no longer met the requirements of modern industrial areas.

What is a zoning plan and why is it needed?

A zoning plan regulates how an area may be used: what types of buildings may be constructed, how tall they can be, and how much space they can occupy. The new plan increases the developable area while also including specifications for structure, noise protection, and other environmental concerns.

How did the amendment process unfold?

At Merck's request, the City of Gernsheim, as the lead authority for the procedure, decided to initiate a corresponding process. The basis for this were expert reports on nature and species protection, soil quality, traffic, and unexploded ordnance clearance. Public stakeholders such as neighboring municipalities, water and soil authorities, nature conservation organizations, and transport associations were asked for their comments. Additionally, two public participation events took place in spring and autumn 2025, where citizens could present their views. In February 2026, the city council approved the plan, and it was published in March 2026 – it has been in effect ever since.

The new zoning plan is an important step towards developing the approximately 35 hectares of open space. This is also emphasized by Dr. Stefan Fandel, Head of Site Development at FLUXUM Gernsheim: "With the new zoning plan, we are creating excellent conditions to further develop the FLUXUM site. New regulations with more flexibility allow us to prepare the site for the future. This step has significantly increased the attractiveness of the site. Based on these new opportunities, we will now hold further discussions with companies interested in establishing a presence here."

We would particularly like to highlight the excellent cooperation with the City of Gernsheim, various authorities and specialized companies, as well as numerous Merck departments, and we would like to express our sincere gratitude to them!