Ostrava’s brownfields see increased investor interest, with Lenzing Biocel as a recent example

The Moravian-Silesian region recorded the highest number of brownfield sites in the Czech Republic in 2024, according to CzechInvest’s publication Podnikatelské nemovitosti a brownfieldy. A total of 709 such locations were documented in the region, which, along with Ústí nad Labem and Central Bohemia, continues to attract significant investor attention. Several former industrial sites in Ostrava have already been redeveloped into functional logistics and industrial zones, including Contera Park Ostrava D1, the adjacent Hrušov development area, Ostrava City Logistics Zárubek, P3 Ostrava Central, and the DMC Paskov industrial park.

One of the latest additions to this trend is Lenzing Biocel, which has become the primary tenant of a newly developed industrial hall at DMC Paskov. The facility is situated on the grounds of the former Paskov coal mine. Developed by Demaco, the project benefits from its proximity to the D56 motorway and access to a rail siding connected to a nearby transshipment terminal. Savills, which brokered the lease, confirmed that Lenzing Biocel has taken up 13,000 square metres of space at the site. The company is a significant producer of viscose pulp, serving both domestic and European markets.

Ondřej Míček, Head of Industrial at Savills and originally from Ostrava, noted that the region offers several logistical advantages, including its location along the Baltic–Adriatic rail corridor, a well-developed motorway network, and an international airport. He also pointed to future possibilities in inland waterway transport. Poland has plans to extend navigability of the Odra River up to the Czech–Polish border at Bohumín. If realised, this could enable Ostrava to develop a river port, further enhancing its transport capabilities.

Míček also highlighted the strengths of the local workforce. Ostrava’s history with heavy industry has created a labour pool familiar with large-scale industrial operations. He noted that workers in the region often prioritise long-term employment and job stability, which can be an advantage for companies seeking reliable labour.

As interest in repurposing brownfield sites continues to grow, projects like the Lenzing Biocel facility at DMC Paskov illustrate how such developments can meet modern logistical needs while revitalising former industrial areas.