Chemical industry: East German locations of US chemical group Dow endangered

The US chemical company Dow no longer excludes the decommissioning of two facilities in Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony. These are plants in Schkopau (Saxony-Anhalt) and Böhlen (Saxony), as the company said. Both were one of the energy and cost-intensive systems at the various Dow locations. The company does not provide any information about the number of employees concerned.

“Dow is considering various options, the most likely of which are temporary decommissioning or a closure of the facilities,” said the company. It spoke of a persistently challenging demand situation.

Decision expected in mid -2025

The reason is overcapacity in the market, which would be tightened by increasing imports, high energy, raw material and CO2 costs as well as increasing regulatory stress. Final decisions have not yet been made. Dow announced the review of his European locations in October 2024.

The location check in Europe should be completed by mid -2025. Then it is decided. Dow informed the employees at the locations concerned about the ongoing review and the possible result. Employees and works councils would be included in accordance with applicable regulations and consultation processes, the company said.

In Germany, according to previous company information, around 3,600 employees work for the group at 13 locations.