"Remscheid encapsulates a secret haven for inventors"

"Remscheid serves as a concealed hub for inventors"

Residing in Remscheid are approximately 110,000 folks, positioned between Düsseldorf and Cologne with a substantial industrial environment surrounding it. As Peter Heinze, the civic administrator shares in the new "Climate-Lab" of ntv, various industries here emit flames and radiating warmth. "These commodities continue to be popular," he explains. However, blacksmiths and tool makers understand that to sell their items globally in the future, they must upgrade or replace their energy systems and furnaces. Heinze notes that changing energy systems in heavy industries is more challenging due to the lack of technology alternatives, immaturity, or unaffordability. Nevertheless, Remscheid is ready to face this challenge with an innovative spirit and sizable investments. Even the stringent Heating Law doesn't seem to bother Heinze and the city: "Vaillant manufactures heating pumps en masse. Hence, I personally favor their construction as often as possible."

ntv.de: When speaking with Remscheid's inhabitants, one often hears negativity: The city appears outdated, a relic, many people prefer to settle in Cologne and Düsseldorf. Is this true?

Peter Heinze: Not necessarily. Remscheid is an industrial hub. It is home to car part suppliers and a vast metal industry. Remscheid is known as the tool city. As you walk through the businesses, you notice flames and feel the heat of metal production. These products are still in demand and find a global market. Thus, Remscheid is indeed a modern production site.

Were you distributing miniature screwdrivers to attendees of the Future Cleantech Festival?

Indeed. These are durable products that last for a long time. That’s what the Remscheid tool industry is all about. Constant improvements are made, and that's happening. For instance, Kirschen, a Remscheid company, now provides carpenters with files and chisels featuring colorful wooden handles crafted from old skateboards. Additionally, as we learned at the festival, they're also creating musical instruments with these handles.

Are the world's finest guitars manufactured here?

Exactly. It's intriguing to see how firms adapt to such advancements and discover long-term new customers for their products. We also boast top firms in mechanical engineering, but these are not often recognized. Remscheid is more than its image.

Why do some Remscheiders perceive their city differently?

We observe a shift from manufacturing itself. While manufacturing has become less common in Germany, it flourishes in China. In Remscheid, there are niche products or companies that have advanced to premium solutions, such as in the automotive supplier industry. There are also companies that transform fundamentally, like Vaillant with their heating pump. However, it's essential to recognize that there are firms with dirty production processes. Addressing these issues requires an inventive approach and engineering know-how to further modernize and produce the products locally in the future.

Do you require more support from the federal government in Berlin?

There is a general emphasis on other aspects, such as servicing in the 90s and digitalization now. Both are crucial, but we should not overlook production's significance in value creation. The result can be touched and is valuable in making something handcrafted and interacting physically with it. Should we preserve this aspect of our culture? This discussion needs to be initiated.

Do you aim to retain production in Germany?

Remscheid was a significant metal forging center in Germany. Much of the production has been moved, leaving only the premium and competitive firms behind. These firms now face tough competition and branding challenges. Acknowledging these challenges is important, but appreciating the value of tactile interaction should also be emphasized.

However, where do you envision your economy heading? We're at a festival highlighting clean technologies, and old industries depend on natural gas, have high energy consumption, and emit CO2.

The festival indicates that businesses embrace this topic enthusiastically. Surprisingly, many companies from Remscheid participate and contribute. Consequently, the success in Remscheid can be attributed to the fact that these topics resonate with the community. Companies like Dirostahl demonstrate a strong willingness to minimize CO2 emissions during production. Nonetheless, altering energy systems in heavy industries is more demanding in this field due to the lack of technology alternatives, immaturity, or unprofitability. Dirostahl produces crucial parts for wind turbines. Like wind turbine production, energy consumption is intense.

Are companies also investing in Remscheid and new technologies?

Indeed. We are, in fact, an underappreciated inventor's haven, which has always been the case. The NRW Bank has confirmed that companies in Remscheid invest massively in research and development. Over the past 15 years, investments have increased by two-thirds. In the Bergisch City Triangle, we are now at 900 million euros. This could be a characteristic of the location: Positive aspects are often communicated with the greatest discretion.

Would it be wise to discuss these achievements more frequently? Because, at present, there's a sense of mourning. Many people believe that the German economic location is diminishing due to climate protection policies.

Two hearts pulsate within me, mirroring the rhythm of our evolving society. To keep pace with the societal changes, the terms "Heating Act" and "Energy Revolution" come to the fore. They've become more than just concepts; they're realities now. I must clarify why, in building regulations, an object must reach a temperature of 65% utilizing renewable energies. These price hikes are inevitable. This major transformation phase initially imposes stringent regulations and poses challenges for the construction industry, as well as higher interests rates. It'd be prudent if federal politics and state politics collaborate to find a solution that's manageable for the construction sector and builders.

As a member of the FDP, governing alongside a traffic light coalition like Berlin, how smoothly is the implementation of the Heating Act progressing in Remscheid? Are you encountering the same disputes?

The progress is running quite smoothly. Public bickering is minimal, and that's because we prefer private discussions. In the municipal context, it's simpler due to less public scrutiny. We're now committed to heat planning and are striving to find a solution. A CDU member colleague of mine is spearheading this initiative. Given that Remscheid hosts a heat pump manufacturer, Vaillant, I'm naturally an advocate for their adoption (laughs).

Did it grate on you that the FDP displayed strong opposition to the heat pump in Berlin?

To create a balanced energy mix in buildings, we must innovate locally. I regret that we're still searching for funding solutions so investors and property owners can immediately adopt heat pumps. Nevertheless, regardless of the legislative climate, cooperation between administration and city council is crucial to actualize such projects. Divisions should be avoided. That might sound cliché, but it often leads to content city dwellers and taxpayers.

Clara Pfeffer and Christian Herrmann conversed with Peter Heinze. The discussion was abridged and polished for enhanced comprehension. The full conversation can be heard in the podcast "Climate Labor".