Red Bull Plants Can Factory and Sparks New Water Dispute - Red Bull & Rauch's Aluminum Can Factory Sparks Water Scarcity Fears in Brandenburg
Red Bull and Rauch have sparked controversy in Brandenburg with their plans to build an aluminum can factory for energy drinks. The project, set to begin in mid-2026, involves clearing 17 hectares of pine forest and extracting water from deep layers, raising concerns about water scarcity in the arid south of the state.
The companies, who acquired Urstromquelle in 2023, plan to use around 2.4 million cubic meters of water annually, compared to Tesla's limit of 1.8 million cubic meters. They assure that daily extraction will not exceed 7,000 cubic meters, matching Urstromquelle's previous usage. However, environmental activists argue that this amount corresponds to approximately 92% of the groundwater allocated for local drinking water in the town of Baruth, leaving only 204,000 cubic meters for local use. This has raised concerns, given Brandenburg's status as one of Germany's driest federal states with declining groundwater levels.
The 'Resource Alliance Baruth' initiative plans to legally review the proceedings, expressing skepticism over whether environmental concerns have been adequately addressed. They demand a new hydrological assessment, questioning water use and deforestation during droughts.
The construction of the aluminum can factory is expected to create around 600 jobs, but it also poses significant environmental challenges. The project's impact on water scarcity and local ecosystems will be closely watched as construction is set to begin in mid-2026.
