Panattoni Plans Development for Mercedes-Benz in Bischweier

Panattoni, the leading project developer for industrial and logistics properties in Europe, is planning the realization of a central location for production supply and pre-assembly for the internationally operating manufacturer of premium vehicles, Mercedes-Benz AG. The build-to-suit property, with a total usable area of approximately 130,000 m², is to be constructed according to the highest sustainability standards in Bischweier, Baden-Württemberg.

(Bischweier) This would provide Mercedes-Benz with state-of-the-art spaces in the economic region of the Murgtal in the long term. Demolition work has begun to revitalize the brownfield site by Panattoni. This is being carried out in consultation with the municipality of Bischweier and the relevant authorities.

Mercedes-Benz AG plans to use the International Consolidation Center – short ICC Bischweier – as a central supply point for the global production network. The main task of the new location will be the bundling and consolidation of deliveries for the internationally operating automobile manufacturer. In addition, extensive and complex services such as the pre-assembly of certain vehicle components and quality processing, alongside the delivery of vehicle parts and commissioning processes, are to be carried out. As a key element of the sustainability strategy, it is planned to reactivate the existing industrial track on the site to create optimal rail access. In Bischweier, the transfer from trucks to rail transport will take place. This will reduce the total number of truck trips and the associated CO2 emissions.

In property development, Panattoni focuses on high environmental compatibility and numerous sustainability aspects. In the further course, a development plan procedure will be initiated, and extensive expert reports will be prepared. In particular, aspects of sound insulation, traffic load, climate and air pollutant load, as well as fire protection will be taken into account.

Before the resolution for the establishment, the project will be presented to the citizens, and the process will be conducted in close dialogue with the population and local stakeholders. In this context, citizen dialogues and informational events are also planned in the further course.

For the new building, Panattoni aims for a DGNB Platinum certification, and a large-scale photovoltaic system covering approximately 80,000 m² is to ensure low-emission energy supply and improve the CO2 balance of the site. The ICC is to operate as much as possible without fossil energy sources. The heating of the hall areas, as well as office and social areas, will be done via heat pumps. Therefore, the use of gas will be avoided. On the remaining roof areas, as well as on the loading tunnels and canopies, Panattoni plans extensive green roofs covering approximately 42,500 m² to bind greenhouse gases and naturally throttle rainwater runoff. Through a green tiered facade design and the integration of facade climbing plants, the property is to blend in as best as possible with the surroundings.

The planned driveable, multi-lane loading tunnels are designed to minimize sound propagation and local noise emissions. This benefits both employees and the local population. In addition, with the help of an elaborate traffic management system within the site and sufficient parking spaces for trucks and cars, the public traffic space in the region will be relieved. Sufficient sanitary and shower facilities will be provided for truck drivers.

The connection to the A5 motorway junction at Rastatt, which is 4 km away, is free of local traffic. The 4-lane B462 can be reached in just one kilometer.

Panattoni already designed the approximately 250,000 m² site in the summer of 2021. With the development of the new location, the project developer is revitalizing the areas of a former particle board factory. The original building dates back to the 1960s, and extensive demolition measures will be necessary in the further course of the project, taking into account building pollutant contamination.

Fred-Markus Bohne, Managing Partner at Panattoni for Germany and Austria, comments on the project as follows: “At the Bischweier location, we want to realize a very ambitious project, starting with extensive revitalization work, through the upcoming development plan procedure, to the implementation of the many defined sustainability measures. We are in close exchange with the future strategic partner Mercedes-Benz and are now looking forward to involving the public in the project. We want the property to be integrated as best as possible into the community and to be a benefit for the local economy and population.”

Photo: © Panattoni