German projects boost Louisiana to top-tier FDI performance
Germany and Louisiana have a rich, shared economic and cultural history that stretches back more than 250 years. Since 2003, German companies have made over a dozen investments in Louisiana, making Germany one of the state’s top sources for investment.
Notable German Investment in Louisiana
- BASF – Polyurethanes blending facility, $800 million capital investment
- Evonik Industries – Chemicals and plastics manufacturing facility, $104 million expansion
- Mauser Group – In June 2017, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mauser Group CEO Hans-Peter Schaefer announced Mauser will complete a $10 million capital investment in a new Louisiana packaging facility in Geismar, near its major industrial customers in Ascension Parish. Mauser USA LLC – part of the German global industrial packaging company, Mauser Group – will operate a 40,000-square-foot packaging and logistics facility. The project’s initial phase will create 28 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of more than $58,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 47 new indirect jobs, for a total of 75 new jobs in the Capital Region and surrounding areas. Mauser USA’s initial project phase will support the packaging needs of chemical manufacturing customers in the Geismar area. The project has the potential to expand with a second phase that would yield 19 additional jobs, for a total of 47 new direct jobs.
Trade Between Germany and Louisiana
| Exports to Germany | |
|---|---|
| Milling Products; Malt; Starch; Inulin; Wht Gluten | $1.3 billion |
| Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc.; Bitumin Subst; Mineral Wax | $1 billion |
| Organic Chemicals | $118 million |
| Rubber and Articles Thereof | $47.5 million |
| Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery Etc.; Parts | $22.3 million |
| Raw Hides and Skins (no Furskins) And Leather | $21.9 million |
| Inorg Chem; Prec & Rare-earth Met & Radioact Compd | $19.9 million |
| Animal, Vegetable Or Microbial Fats And Oils Etc | $15 million |
| Paper & Paperboard & Articles (inc Papr Pulp Artl) | $10.5 million |
| Plastics And Articles Thereof | $10.4 million |
| TOTAL | $2.7 BILLION |
| Imports from Germany | |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery Etc.; Parts | $128.8 million |
| Organic Chemicals | $126.2 million |
| Optic, Photo Etc, Medic Or Surgical Instrments Etc | $62.1 million |
| Miscellaneous Chemical Products | $58.6 million |
| Wood And Articles Of Wood; Wood Charcoal | $45.1 million |
| Plastics And Articles Thereof | $36.5 million |
| Cereals | $33.4 million |
| Electric Machinery Etc; Sound Equip; Tv Equip; Pts | $24.3 million |
| Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc.; Bitumin Subst; Mineral Wax | $23.6 million |
| Iron And Steel | $18 million |
| TOTAL | $557 MILLION |
Travel
Direct airline service between Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and Frankfurt, Germany via German airline Condor began in spring 2017.
Cultural Ties and Resources
Established in 1928, the Deutsches Haus is a benevolent and social organization with a mission to celebrate and foster the rich culture, musical heritage, language and history of the German people. Learn more here.
The German-American Cultural Center (GACC) celebrates the important contributions to Louisiana history and culture made by Germans with exhibits, lectures, programs and other educational activities. Learn more here.
The German-Acadian Coast Historical and Genealogical Society (GACHGS) is a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the unique culture and history of Louisiana’s German-Acadian Coast, which encompasses today’s St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes. Learn more here.