Panattoni plans development for Mercedes-Benz in Bischweier

Panattoni, the leading project developer for industrial and logistics real estate in Europe, plans to create a central production supply and preassembly location for the internationally operating manufacturer of premium vehicles, Mercedes-Benz AG. The built-to-suit facility with a total usable floor space of approx. 130,000 m² is to be built according to the highest sustainability standards in Bischweier, Baden-Württemberg. This will give Mercedes-Benz long-term access to ultra-modern spaces in the economic hub of the Murg valley. Demolition work for revitalising the plot of brownfield land has been started by Panattoni in consultation with the municipality of Bischweier and the competent authorities.

Mercedes-Benz AG plans to use the International Consolidation Centre – or ICC Bischweier for short – as a central supply point for the global production network. The main function of this new location will be to bundle and consolidate deliveries for the internationally operating automobile manufacturer. The site will also be used for a wide range of complex services, such as the preassembly of particular vehicle components as well as quality management, in addition to the delivery of vehicle parts and order-picking processes. An important element of the sustainability strategy is the reactivation of the existing industrial railway track on the site, which will ensure optimum rail links. In Bischweier, goods will be transferred from lorries to trains for their onward journey. This will reduce the total number of lorry journeys and the associated CO₂ emissions.

Within the scope of development work, Panattoni is putting the focus on high environmental compatibility and numerous aspects relating to sustainability. In the further course, a development planning procedure shall be introduced and comprehensive export opinions prepared. In particular, aspects relating to noise control, traffic congestion, climate and air pollution, and fire protection will be taken into account.

Before the decision is made to draw up the plan, the project will be presented to the citizens and the entire procedure shall be conducted in close dialogue with the population and local actors. For this purpose, as well as citizen information events and discussions are planned.

Panattoni is aiming for Platinum certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), with a large-scale solar installation measuring approx. 80,000 m² providing emission-free energy and improving the carbon footprint of the site. As far as possible, the intention is for the ICC to run without using any fossil fuels. The warehouse spaces and the social and office spaces shall be heated by means of heat pumps, thus dispensing with the use of gas. The remaining roof surfaces as well as the loading tunnels and awnings – measuring a total of approx. 42,500 m² – are to be extensively greened in an effort to bind greenhouse gases and as a natural way to restrain rainwater. The green, terraced façade design and the integration of façade climbing plants are intended to help the building blend in seamlessly with the surroundings.

The planned trafficable, multi-lane loading tunnels are designed such that they minimise the propagation of sound and local noise emissions. This not only benefits employees, but also the local population. In addition, traffic congestion in the region will be eased thanks to an elaborate traffic control system within the site as well as a sufficient number of parking spaces for lorries and cars. And for lorry drivers, plenty of toilet and shower facilities will be provided.

The A5 junction near Rastatt is 4 km away and can be reached without having to pass through built-up areas. The four-lane B462 federal road is just 1 km away.

Panattoni made a project of the 250,000 m² plot of land back in the summer of 2021. With the development of the new location, the project developer is revitalising the site of an old chipboard plant. The original building dates from the 1960s and will require substantial demolition work taking into account pollution from the old building.

Commenting on the project, Fred-Markus Bohne, Managing Partner at Panattoni Germany and Austria, said: “We want to develop a very ambitious project at the Bischweier site – from the extensive revitalisation work to the development planning procedure to the implementation of the numerous sustainability measures. We are in close consultation with the future strategic partner Mercedes-Benz and we are delighted that we can now involve the public in the project as well. We would like to see the facility become integrated as best as possible into the community and for it to benefit the local population and economy.”