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Dow Begins Formal Talks on German Plant Shutdowns

Formal talks have begun on shutdown plans alongside calls for worker support to contain broader industrial fallout.

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FILED - 28 May 2025, Saxony, Böhlen: View of the Dow Chemical facilities at the Böhlen Chemical Park. The US chemical company Dow Chemical is considering shutting down parts of the plant in Böhlen. If the cracker is shut down, this would have an impact on the entire chemical triangle in the region, according to critics of the plans. Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa (Photo by Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Dow confirmed it will close the Chloralkali and vinyl facilities in Schkopau and the Böhlen steamcracker by end-2027, putting about 550 jobs at risk.
  • The company has launched a formal consultation process with works councils to set timelines and explore socially responsible mitigation measures.
  • VCI Nordost and IG BCE warn that losing these energy-intensive units could trigger a domino effect across the tightly integrated Mitteldeutsches Chemiedreieck cluster.
  • Saxony’s Economics Minister Dirk Panter has urged Dow to guarantee social protections for the affected workforce.
  • Regional bodies are pressing Dow to seek potential investors and strategies to preserve key chemical infrastructure and local supply chains.