Eschweiler, Germany (May 22, 2025) - A symbolic ground-breaking ceremony held on 21 May 2025 marked the start of construction works for the new European headquarters of Barnet, a global company focused on synthetic fibers, polymers, and yarns.
Leading global real estate investment manager, BGO, and Düsseldorf-based project developer, PRODAC Industrial Real Estate, together with Barnet Europe, the land seller RWE AG, and representatives of the city of Eschweiler, gave the go-ahead for the construction of the property.
The new facility will be erected on an approximately 41,400 m² greenfield land plot which BGO acquired last year from RWE AG.
The building permit from the city of Eschweiler has been secured, and earthworks and construction work will begin in May 2025 and will be carried out by Goldbeck International as the general contractor, in cooperation with Modevconsult GmbH (Weinheim) as project manager.
Barnet Europe will have around 21,000 m² of office, production and storage space at its disposal in Zeppelinstrasse/Dürwißer Strasse upon its completion in the first quarter of 2026. The asset is being built to DGNB Platinum specifications and to the highest standards of sustainability and environmental protection through the use of sustainable technologies.
Jürgen Diehl, Managing Director of BGO, said “BGO is delighted to have been commissioned by Barnet for this project. We very much look forward to partnering with Barnet to support their European growth ambitions and adding to our rapidly growing warehouse portfolio.”
Erik Schöddert, Head of Land Management at RWE Power AG, said “Consistent release of land for development is a key factor in the success of sustainable structural change in the Rhineland mining region. We are therefore delighted that Barnet is another major company to locate near our power plant.”
“We would like to thank Barnet for the trust they have placed in us and will work on executing the project at record speed together with our partners,” commented Lars Zimmermann, Managing Director of PRODAC Industrial Real Estate GmbH.
“With the construction of our new European headquarters in Eschweiler, we are setting an important strategic milestone for the future direction of our company,” explains Bernd Lenzen, Managing Director of Barnet Europe. “The sustainably designed new building will replace our existing sites in Aachen and Raeren (Belgium) and significantly increase the efficiency of our production and logistics processes, as well as creating a solid foundation for expanding our product portfolio. The new location is consistently geared towards growth and opens up the possibility of creating additional jobs. In a first step, we are relocating our operations with around 100 employees, to whom we will offer a modern, future-oriented working environment.”
BARNET is an international group of companies with headquarters in the USA and 500 employees worldwide in the USA, Europe, India, China and South Korea. Since its foundation by William Barnet in 1898, Barnet has followed the tradition of a classic trading company with a global network that has grown over decades, but has also actively developed into a manufacturing company.
Today, the company produces short-cut and staple fibers as well as recycled high-performance fibers and the patented antistatic yarn nega-stat®. The traditional trading business with fibers and industrial, textile and technical yarns is still a central part of Barnet's business activities. Barnet's products are used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, textiles, hygiene and medicine, paper industry, acoustics, public transportation and marine technology.
Nadine Leonhardt, Mayor of Eschweiler, is optimistic about the future: “We are facing major challenges brought about by structural change. These must be overcome in a future-proof manner by creating new jobs requiring different skill levels. Eschweiler is a sought-after location for business and industry that is undergoing continuous development. I am delighted that the Barnet Group is investing in Eschweiler and making a valuable contribution to our city!”
Vidan Real Estate GmbH provided exclusive support to Barnet Europe. The project development process included a needs analysis, a targeted search for a suitable site, the tendering process and selection of a suitable project developer, as well as comprehensive advice and mediation for all parties involved.
“As Vidan Real Estate, we had the privilege of exclusively supporting Barnet Europe through an exciting and pioneering project development. With Prodac Industrial Real Estate GmbH, we were able to secure an outstanding project developer and, with BGO, a strategic partner of world-class caliber. We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone involved for their trusting and cooperative partnership. We wish the aforementioned companies a successful start to the realization of this project” commented Marcel Jasmund, Head of Industrial & Logistics at Vidan.
BGO is a leading, global real estate investment management advisor and a globally-recognized provider of real estate services. BGO serves the interests of more than 750 institutional clients with approximately $86 billion USD of assets under management (as of March 31, 2025) and expertise in the asset management of office, industrial, multi-residential, retail and hospitality property across the globe. BGO has offices in 27 cities across thirteen countries with deep, local knowledge, experience, and extensive networks in the regions where we invest in and manage real estate assets on behalf of our clients in primary, secondary and co-investment markets. BGO is a part of SLC Management, the institutional alternatives and traditional asset management business of Sun Life.
The assets under management shown above includes real estate equity and mortgage investments managed by the BGO group of companies and their affiliates, and as of 1Q21, includes certain uncalled capital commitments for discretionary capital until they are legally expired and excludes certain uncalled capital commitments where the investor has complete discretion over investment.
For more information, please visit: www.bgo.com
PRODAC Industrial Real Estate GmbH is an owner-managed company focusing on the acquisition, development, construction and marketing of modern, sustainable logistics and industrial properties. The company attaches great importance to high-quality equipment and multifunctional construction methods in order to provide its customers with the greatest possible flexibility and sustainable planning at the respective locations. PRODAC combines many years of experience with the expertise of a first-class network - always with the aim of achieving the best result for all project partners. As an independent project developer, they attach great importance to long-term and trusting cooperation with their business partners.
Further information can be found at: https://www.prodac-ire.de
Media Contacts
PRODAC
Silke Westermann, SH/Communication
T +49 173 29 20 641
s.westermann@shcommunication.de
BGO
Rahim Ladha
media@bgo.com
BARNET Europe
Markus Rohowsky
T +49 241 5798 75
mrohowsky@barnet-europe.com