The Düsseldorf-based defense company Rheinmetall is planning to neutralize large quantities of old ammunition there. According to the company, it has already purchased a roughly 41-hectare site on Lerchenberg, where the facility is scheduled to begin operations early next year. Former Bundeswehr ammunition bunkers from the 1950s are expected to be reused as part of the project.
Permits for Safety and Environmental Protection Still Pending
Stephan Lutz, mayor of Zusamaltheim (Bürgerblock Zusamaltheim), welcomed the plan. He emphasized that the massive concrete bunkers are in good condition and could be reused without difficulty. However, Rheinmetall must first apply for the necessary permits regarding fencing and additional security facilities.
The site was originally built during the Nazi era for the armaments industry and later became a Bundeswehr depot. Today, it contains 32 bunkers capable of storing up to 900 tons of explosives.
Authorities Learned About the Project Through the Media
The Dillingen District Office and the regional government of Swabia told Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) that they have not yet received any official applications. They first learned of Rheinmetall’s plans through media reports. Should an application be submitted, authorities will pay particular attention to safety and environmental protection.
In addition to using existing structures, Rheinmetall also plans to build a new facility with an incineration plant and mandatory exhaust gas treatment. This plant is currently expected to begin operation in early 2026.
Background: Unexploded Ordnance and Old Ammunition
Mayor Lutz stressed that residents should not expect any major disruptions. He does not foresee heavy truck traffic from ammunition transports, and the site will be used solely for destruction, not production. Therefore, he believes it is unlikely to be considered a military target.
Rheinmetall points out that many unexploded ordnance devices from World War II still remain in German soil. In addition, an estimated 1.6 million tons of old munitions are thought to lie in the North Sea and Baltic Sea—including naval mines, artillery shells, and bombs. In southern Germany alone, more than 20,000 tons may still need to be cleared.
Few New Jobs for the Region
For the municipality of Zusamaltheim, the project is not expected to bring major economic benefits. Operating and securing the site will create only a handful of new jobs. Earlier considerations to use the area as a leisure or commercial park have been abandoned. “Now everything is under one roof,” said Mayor Lutz. “That makes things easier for the community.”
Only a few months ago, Rheinmetall acquired the internationally active munitions recovery company Stascheit, based in Gardelegen, Saxony-Anhalt. The firm specializes in locating and recovering ordnance, including during construction projects for offshore wind farms.
(With information from dpa)
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