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Insolvency shock: solar glass manufacturer from Tschernitz hits the region hard!
Insolvency of the Brandenburg glass factory in Tschernitz: 240 jobs affected, political causes discussed, support assured.
Insolvency shock: solar glass manufacturer from Tschernitz hits the region hard!
In a serious blow to the Lusatian region, Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg GmbH in Tschernitz has filed for bankruptcy. The application for this was submitted today to the Cottbus District Court. This threatens the existence of the company, which is considered to be the last specialized solar glass manufacturer in Europe. Around 240 employees are directly affected, which endangers not only their future but also the economic stability of the region.
Brandenburg's Economics Minister Daniel Keller expressed his deep concern about the situation and blamed political failures at the EU level. “Under the current conditions, there is no market for solar glass from Tschernitz,” he stated, while District Administrator Harald Altekrüger described the bankruptcy as a “severe blow for the Lusatian region”. Support for the affected employees has already been guaranteed, and the Federal Employment Agency will be involved in the process in order to create new perspectives.
Background to bankruptcy
The main reason for the glass manufacturer's insolvency is the tough competition from cheap solar modules from China. This development has significantly limited local production options. The Indian majority owner Borosil, which previously took over the Interfloat Corporation, had already issued a warning to the federal government in February. In a letter to leading politicians, he called for support for the European solar industry, in particular a resilience bonus, to ensure competitiveness. Companies like Meyer-Burger in Freiberg, Saxony, which rely on supplies from Tschernitz are already planning to stop production if help doesn't arrive.
The Brandenburg government had tried in the past to support the glass manufacturer with funding. Discussions took place to stabilize the location, including energy policy relief and help to finance short-time work. Nevertheless, the efforts have so far been unsuccessful, as Altekrüger regrets.
The glass industry in Germany
The German glass industry is a significant economic sector that encompasses several segments, including flat glass and hollow glass. In 2023, around 54,659 employees worked in this industry, with over 50% of companies being small and medium-sized businesses. Despite the challenges, such as the decline in sales since 2018, the industry recorded record sales of 12.7 billion euros in 2022. In an international comparison, Germany is a leader in the production of glass and glassware.
The insolvency of Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg GmbH could not only have local effects, but also represents a further setback for the entire glass industry. The challenges, especially posed by international competition and suboptimal conditions, are the focus of the current discussions. “We have to find a solution before it is too late,” Keller appeals to politicians. Discussions about the future of the location are now to be continued during the insolvency proceedings, in the hope that the traditional location in Tschernitz is not completely lost.