08.10.2024 | Press release

Expo Real: FUSION COLOGNE receives DGNB Gold neighbourhood certificate

Two multi-level logistics properties in the first construction phase
Best location in Cologne with trimodal connections to all modes of transport
Sustainability strategy is part of the basic concept and includes climate-neutral heat energy supply through waste heat utilisation

Cologne / Munich, October 2024: The FUSION COLOGNE logistics and industrial quarter under construction in the north of Cologne has successfully passed the auditing process of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) for pre-certification in accordance with the DGNB Gold Standard. This makes FUSION COLOGNE one of the few industrial and logistics districts to have been certified by the independent non-profit organisation to date. The document has now been handed over at Expo Real, Europe's largest property fair, in Munich.

Presentation of the DGNB gold pre-certificate at the Cologne/Bonn region's stand at Expo Real in Munich: Andree Haack (from left to right), Alderman of the City of Cologne; Peter Trapp, Managing Director Fusion Cologne GmbH; Henriette Reker, Lord Mayor of the City of Cologne; Dr Stephan Anders, Director Network & Consulting DGNB; Gregor Grassl, Senior Auditor Consulting Company Drees & Sommer; Dr Manfred Janssen, Managing Director Köln Business. Copyright: HGK / Cologne Business

The audit carried out in recent months does not relate to a single property, but to the entire site. In addition to ecological, economic and technical quality, the criteria therefore also include process quality as well as socio-cultural, functional and urban planning quality. The project scored particularly highly in terms of assessment factors such as space efficiency, mobility infrastructure, open space design and water circulation systems. The development with multi-level logistics properties, high standards for façade and roof greening as well as green space design and rainwater treatment contribute to this. Users on the site will also benefit from a climate-neutral energy concept for the heat supply. In future, waste heat from the cooling circuits of a neighbouring waste incineration plant will be used for this purpose.

FUSION COLOGNE will be one of Germany's most modern and sustainable neighbourhoods for production, logistics, research and innovation. Behind the development of the site by Fusion Cologne GmbH is Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK), which also wants to use the development project to realise sustainable development in freight transport for local industry. A total of 55 hectares of derelict industrial space in the north of Cologne is to be revitalised in a prime location with trimodal connections to rail, waterway and road transport.

"We are creating an attractive and efficient neighbourhood that combines industry and trade with logistics and innovation!"

Peter Trapp, Managing Director Fusion Cologne GmbH

"The DGNB award is a great endorsement of our concept and at the same time a strong signal to investors and users who want to organise their supply chains sustainably from production to distribution," says Peter Trapp, Managing Director of the project company Fusion Cologne GmbH.