BIETIGHEIM-BISSINGEN (dpa-AFX) – According to the boss of machine and plant manufacturer Dürr, Jochen Weyrauch, the US investment program worth billions is having a “dramatic influence on investment decisions”. Investment projects by customers that were planned in Germany or Europe migrated to the USA, Weyrauch told the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” (Monday).
The “Inflation Reduction Act” would have shifted the costs “to the disadvantage of Europe”. So the company had no choice. Above all, customers from the automotive industry are affected. This is particularly the case with customers in the field of e-mobility, “for example with manufacturers of batteries and battery cells”.
Due to the great need for e-mobility in Europe, Dürr does not have to reduce its capacities there. “But I wonder where we will build more,” said Weyrauch. So far, Dürr had assumed that the next surge would take place in Europe and Germany. That is now questionable because of US President Joe Biden’s plans./rwi/DP/jha