- No admission allowed
- Currently closed
- free of charge / accessible at any time
Brilon-Wald Vinegar Tower
Industrial Heritage | Buildings / Modern Architecture
This historic building, which is a protected landmark and a defining feature of the townscape, stands as a symbol of industrial development in Brilon-Wald on the grounds of the former "Chemische Fabrik."
Address
Brilon-Wald Vinegar Tower
Am Essigturm 12
59929 Brilon
Telephone: 02961-782 60
Properties:
In 1880, the Hüsten labor union founded the Brilon-Wald charcoal plant to produce charcoal for the rolling mills in Hüsten and Arnsberg-Bruchhausen.
Until it ceased operations in 1995, the plant went by a variety of company names, though “Degussa” is probably the most commonly used name in popular parlance.
The actual products and production processes at the plant rarely changed. Products manufactured during the chemical plant’s existence included charcoal, wood tar, wood vinegar, liquid byproducts of wood carbonization, activated carbon derived from charcoal for a wide range of applications, and more. The vinegar tower building was constructed in 1904 as a “wood spirit plant” (later “extraction plant”) for the production of crude wood spirit. In later years, structural changes were made, including an expansion of the floor area and an increase in the building’s height. Between 1999 and the end of 2003, the industrial facilities were completely demolished.
As a physical reminder of its industrial past, the vinegar tower was preserved and designated a historic landmark. It is part of the recent relocation of the company Condensator Dominit to the site, integrating it into the industrial use of this historic area.
The following individuals can answer any further questions:
Organizational matters – Mr. Frank Lahme (Condensator Dominit GmbH),
Historical matters – Mr. Willi Otto (private), Tel. 02961-3847
Until it ceased operations in 1995, the plant went by a variety of company names, though “Degussa” is probably the most commonly used name in popular parlance.
The actual products and production processes at the plant rarely changed. Products manufactured during the chemical plant’s existence included charcoal, wood tar, wood vinegar, liquid byproducts of wood carbonization, activated carbon derived from charcoal for a wide range of applications, and more. The vinegar tower building was constructed in 1904 as a “wood spirit plant” (later “extraction plant”) for the production of crude wood spirit. In later years, structural changes were made, including an expansion of the floor area and an increase in the building’s height. Between 1999 and the end of 2003, the industrial facilities were completely demolished.
As a physical reminder of its industrial past, the vinegar tower was preserved and designated a historic landmark. It is part of the recent relocation of the company Condensator Dominit to the site, integrating it into the industrial use of this historic area.
The following individuals can answer any further questions:
Organizational matters – Mr. Frank Lahme (Condensator Dominit GmbH),
Historical matters – Mr. Willi Otto (private), Tel. 02961-3847
Business hours
Currently, only exterior viewing is permitted, with no time restrictions
Directions
Located right on the B251 in Brilon-Wald—within walking distance of the Brilon-Wald train station