Dow closes plants in Saxony-Anhalt: 600 jobs at risk!

Dow closes plants in Saxony-Anhalt: 600 jobs at risk!

The US chemical company Dow has announced that it will close parts of its plants in Schkopau (Saxony-Anhalt) and Böhlen (Saxony) by the end of 2027. This drastic decision affects around 600 jobs, around 100 of which will be lost directly at the Schkopau location. The general works council fears that the closures will have a serious impact on the region. In particular, the chlor-alkali and vinyl plants in Schkopau as well as the chemical raw material production in Böhlen are on the strike list. The move is seen as a response to high energy costs, tense competition and declining demand in key industries, as MDI reports.

The works councils at both locations have already become active and have met with members of the economic ministries and chemical associations. The aim is to develop concepts for the continued use of the locations without Dow. “We have to do everything we can to secure existing jobs and create new ones,” emphasizes Dieter Macke, chairman of the works council. He also calls for partners for sustainable production, such as in hydrogen and hydrochloric acid synthesis, to counteract the closure.

Economic framework conditions and political reactions

Politicians are concerned about the developments. Saxony-Anhalt's Economics Minister Sven Schulze (CDU) announced that a working group would be set up to secure chemical sites in the region. He makes it clear that the framework conditions absolutely need to be adjusted in order to increase competitiveness. Schulze also calls for the chemical industry to be relieved of the high energy costs, which are considered one of the main reasons for the closures. The Tagesschau emphasizes that the Böhlen location should be preserved with new investments.

District Administrator Hartmut Handschak expressed regret about Dow's decision, but understands the economic background. The IHK Halle-Dessau also fears significant consequences for the chemical sites in central Germany and points to the federal government's critical energy policy, which is seen as a contributing cause for the closures. “We will fight for every job,” announces the IGBCE union.

The chemical industry is changing

It is already clear that the chemical industry plays a key role as a driver of innovation. In Germany, the industry is considered the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. In 2023, Germany achieved a record export value of over 257 billion euros for chemical-pharmaceutical products, underlining the importance of the industry. Statista highlights that innovative approaches such as green hydrogen and chemical recycling are urgently needed to meet the challenges of the future.

The need to reduce CO2 emissions and advance the trend towards a circular economy is becoming increasingly clear in view of current developments. Companies must find innovative ways to assert themselves in the global market - without a doubt a major challenge, but also an opportunity to rely on sustainable technologies and open up new markets.