1958At the first German Chemistry Conference held in October 1958 in the former GDR, the decision was taken to increase production of synthetic fibres. The chemical complex which was to be key to performing this task was established on the site of the former Rheinmetall-Borsig armaments plant in Guben. This location was highly symbolic, as the plant lay close to the border with Poland. The plant was thus intended to be used for peace-promoting purposes, although up until 1945 it had actually been producing military equipment for Germany.
1960Construction of the first facilities started in 1960.
1964Test production began at the spinning mill on the site of the present-day Trevira plant.
1968In 1968, along with the production of rayon work simultaneously began on developing a PA6 production line; this material is used in the production of carpet yarn.
1969The spinning plant commenced production on 4 March 1969.
1969In early 1969, production commenced at the first VK continuous polymerization reactor.
1969Production of PA6 was first expanded at the turn of 1980. Three additional reactors were added to the six VK continuous polymerization reactors already in operation, these being housed in a new building.
1981In 1981, the first extraction and drying unit intended for continuous operation was installed and began operating.
1987The year 1987 saw test production begin in a unit, which at the time was a state-of-the-art technological achievement . It was the first time that a unit based on “cascade polymerization” was employed in production. Its launch was combined with a new continuous extraction and drying unit for producing high viscose granulate (LV 3,25), the basic raw material used in the production of tyres for large-size vehicles.
1989In 1989, the Herbert Warnke chemical fibres plant, as the former industrial complex was now renamed, employed about 7,500 workers, including foreigners from such countries as Poland, Vietnam, Cuba and Mozambique. The Cord-Dedotex plant employed a total of around 990 people, including those involved in textile post-processing. The polymerization department has a staff of approximately 110. After German reunification, the plant continued to operate under the name of Guben Chemical Fibres Factory Ltd., even though several hundred workplaces had to be cut to ensure profitability
