Berlin-Adlershof, September 30, 2025 – Berlin-Chemie and 1. FC Union Berlin are extending their partnership for the second time in a row: In the 2025/26 season, the Köpenick-based pharmaceutical company will once again be the “ Eiserner Partner” (Iron Partner) and will support both the men’s and women’s Bundesliga teams of 1. FC Union Berlin. The collaboration focuses on supporting the teams and joint educational and youth initiatives in the region. The continuation of the partnership represents a long-term commitment to health, strengthening Berlin as a business location, and equal opportunities.

An integral part of the partnership is the collaboration with the Union Learning Center. Together, the partners create practical opportunities for early career orientation, providing insights into apprenticeship professions and specific career paths in STEM professions. The measures take place in Berlin and open up new career prospects for young people in the region. Berlin-Chemie is thus sending a clear signal for the active and forward-looking promotion of young talent.

“Union Berlin stands for passion, team spirit, and a deep connection to the region—values that we share at Berlin-Chemie,” says Christiane von der Eltz, member of the Board of Management at Berlin-Chemie. “With our partnership, we not only want to support the teams on and off the pitch, but also open up perspectives for young people and specifically strengthen the future viability of Berlin as a business location.”

Christian Arbeit, Managing Director of Communications at 1. FC Union Berlin, adds: “Berlin-Chemie is a partner that has close ties to the region and is deeply committed to it. Our joint commitment to the learning center shows how sports and business can work together to open up new opportunities for young people and further promote the positive development of Berlin.”

Berlin-Chemie currently employs people from over 70 nations and has been committed to promoting young talent and training for many years. By continuing their partnership, Berlin-Chemie and 1. FC Union Berlin are underlining their common goal: combining sporting success, social commitment, and strengthening the Berlin region.

About Berlin-Chemie

Berlin-Chemie AG is an internationally active, research-based pharmaceutical company founded in 1890 and based in Berlin-Adlershof. Since 1992, the company has been a subsidiary of the Italian Menarini Group and is responsible within the group for the primary care business in Germany and in over 30 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The group's largest production site is located in Berlin, where high-quality medicines are manufactured for over 90 countries worldwide. Berlin-Chemie generated sales of €1.48 billion in 2024 and employs around 1,500 people in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

About 1. FC Union Berlin

1. FC Union Berlin e.V. and its predecessor clubs can look back on more than a century of history. Since 1920, the heart of the club has been beating at the Alte Försterei, where soccer has been played ever since. Union is one of 36 licensees of the DFL (German Soccer League) and exercises its right to play in the Bundesliga. With around 70,000 members and around 360,000 spectators per season at the An der Alten Försterei stadium, 1. FC Union Berlin is one of the largest and best-known soccer clubs in the new federal states. Last season, the women's team won the 2. Bundesliga championship, securing promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history.

Contact

Alessandro Grua
Head of Regional Communications & PR
mediarelations@berlin-chemie.de