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Dow closes plants: 550 jobs lost in Central Germany!
The industry in Anhalt-Bitterfeld is facing upheaval: Dow is closing plants, which is costing 550 jobs. Historical backgrounds and effects are highlighted.
Dow closes plants: 550 jobs lost in Central Germany!
There is a lot of simmering in the industry between Bitterfeld, Böhlen and the Bunawerke: Dow Chemical is planning to close several workshops that are of considerable importance for the region. According to a report by World This will not make things easy for the Central German Chemical Triangle region, one of the oldest industrial conurbations in Germany. The affected plants produce chlor-alkali and vinyl in Schkopau as well as raw gasoline in Böhlen. This will result in a severe loss of 550 jobs.
Above all, the high energy costs and strict environmental regulations are causing problems for the chemical industry, which was previously considered a cornerstone of prosperity and quality of life in the GDR. In her book “Fly Ash”, Monika Maron impressively describes the living conditions in Bitterfeld, which are characterized by environmental pollution. Her work was not welcomed in the GDR and was therefore banned as “black painting”.
A legacy built over decades
The Central German Chemical Triangle includes a number of important cities, including Halle (Saale), Merseburg, Bitterfeld, Leipzig and Schkeuditz. This area, often referred to as the Leuna-Buna-Bitterfeld chemical triangle, is famous for its chemical and oil refineries. Historically, the region has a long tradition in the chemical industry.
Buna, a term that refers to the first synthetic rubber, plays a large role in the industry in Schkopau. Today, synthetic rubber is produced there by Dow Chemical, marketed under the name BUNA SB. In the 1950s, the advertising slogan “Plaste and Elaste from Schkopau” made a big splash and was promoted with a lot of fanfare in the region. The illuminated advertising on the tower on the northern bridge of the Elbe near Vockerode was particularly striking, attracting many travelers passing by and exuding a nostalgic flair.
The future of the chemical industry
The chemical industry is not only a key driver of innovation, but also an important economic sector in Germany. Loud Statista The German chemical-pharmaceutical industry is the largest in Europe and ranks third in the world, behind China and the USA. In 2023, the export value of chemical-pharmaceutical products was over 257 billion euros. But despite its success, the industry has to overcome challenges. Rising energy prices, particularly as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, are driving up producer prices in Europe.
In order to remain future-oriented, companies are increasingly relying on innovations, sustainable technologies and strategic partnerships. Green hydrogen and bio-based chemicals are gaining traction as the entire industry changes and becomes more Asia-focused.
Given these developments, the question arises: How will the region respond to the closures and changes in the chemical industry? Once again it is clear that the chemical industry, which has long been a source of prosperity in the region, is now facing new challenges while the future remains uncertain.