Salinen Austria AG has reduced its production by 15 percent since December due to high electricity and natural gas prices. “That will probably take the whole year,” says CEO Peter Untersperger. Electricity prices have risen by 400 to 500 percent since the fall, he explained. This makes the production of salt uneconomical.
Untersperger demands immediate action from the government on energy taxes. He sees a locational problem for the entire energy-intensive industry if politicians don’t react.
At present, the salt works in Ebensee only produce packaged goods to order. The company also raised salt prices in January. Further price jumps are expected in March and June. In the case of winter salt, the increased costs cannot be passed on partly because of the long-term contracts.
After a record year with a profit before taxes of 9.1 million euros, Untersperger expects a decline in sales and profits in the current financial year. Nevertheless, the saltworks want to stick to their expansion course and their expansion plans. A drying building for 30 million euros is to go into operation in Ebensee this year.
Source: Nachrichten
