Evonik attributed the decision to weak global demand, continuing pressure on profit margins and the costs associated with fragmented production, administrative and laboratory structures.

The Bitterfeld site, where about 40 employees produce chlorosilanes, is scheduled to close at the end of April 2027. Customer supply will continue primarily from Evonik’s Rheinfelden facility in southern Germany.

The company cited challenging market conditions for high-purity silicon tetrachloride, including increased Asian supply, competitive pressure and extended periods of low plant utilization. Evonik said it considered alternative operating models, capacity reductions, mothballing and a potential sale before determining that none offered a sustainable long-term path.

Evonik and employee representatives will negotiate options for the workers affected at both locations. The company has not announced that all approximately 90 positions will be eliminated.

The closures follow Evonik’s June announcement that it plans to eliminate about 3,200 jobs worldwide from 2027 through 2029, including approximately 2,150 positions in Germany. That restructuring also includes the planned exit from the company’s global polyester business.

Evonik has not said whether employees affected by the Hamburg and Bitterfeld closures are included in the previously announced 3,200-position reduction. PCI previously reported on Evonik’s broader restructuring and planned job cuts.

Evonik said production consolidation is intended to reduce costs, improve efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of the affected businesses.

Review Evonik’s complete site-consolidation announcement.

Evonik is a major supplier of additives, crosslinkers, silica and other specialty chemicals used in coatings formulations. The closures add to the production and workforce changes affecting coatings raw-material suppliers as European chemical producers respond to weak demand, cost pressure and global competition.