Insolvency drama in Elstertrebnitz: 112 jobs at risk!

Insolvency drama in Elstertrebnitz: 112 jobs at risk!

With a bitter blow, Schrott-Wetzel-Ost GmbH in Elstertrebnitz has dominated the headlines because the company is insolvent. The insolvency proceedings were officially opened on October 30, 2025 at the Leipzig District Court, as reported by MDR. The future is now uncertain for the 112 employees who work in the four locations in Elstertrebnitz, Roßlau (Saxony-Anhalt), Eisenberg (Thuringia) and Berlin-Vogelsdorf.

The situation is serious because operations have been idle since mid-August 2025. It is clearly communicated on the company's homepage that neither material will be accepted nor picked up. The 60 employees at the Elstertrebnitz location are particularly feeling the effects of the insolvency, as they are directly affected by the closure. Thomas Jacobs, the provisional insolvency administrator, is already looking for potential investors, but there has been no offer yet.

A young company with a lot of potential

Schrott-Wetzel-Ost GmbH was only founded in 2022, after taking over the East German locations of Mannheim-based Schrott Wetzel GmbH. The company specialized in the processing of metals and supplied numerous smelters and steelworks in the region. In 2024, a significant amount of around 275,000 tonnes of steel scrap was processed, supplemented by 9,000 tonnes of aluminum scrap and 8,000 tonnes of non-ferrous grades. Despite the challenging situation, the 2023 annual financial statements recorded sales revenues of 121 million euros and a small annual surplus of 384,000 euros, as Euwid Recycling also reports.

The company's management, consisting of Marius Wetzel and Robert Eckhold, has also distinguished itself in the region through social commitment and was a sponsor of 1. FC Lok Leipzig. The social initiatives were appreciated by the workforce and local residents and shaped the company's image in the area.

An uncertain path into the future

Although financial problems have led to the cessation of operations, employees and regional stakeholders are waiting for positive news. Without an investor it would be difficult to make a new start and a cessation of operations would be unavoidable. However, the hope of rescue and an investor remains because the company has proven that it can handle large amounts of scrap and has been firmly established in the industry over the last few years. In the current situation, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether it will be possible to emerge from bankruptcy.

The coming days and weeks will be crucial for Schrott-Wetzel-Ost GmbH and everyone associated with it. We will continue to monitor and report if new developments arise.