Evonik consolidates German production, to close Hamburg and Bitterfeld sites
- Hamburg site (~50 employees) to close by mid next year; cosmetics and personal care production moved to Essen‑Goldschmidtstrasse.
- Bitterfeld site (~40 employees) to close end‑April 2027; produces chlorosilanes/high‑purity silicon tetrachloride; supply to be covered from Rheinfelden.
- Evonik cites fragmented site structures, weak global demand, margin pressure and increased Asian supply as drivers of the decision.
- Evonik will negotiate socially acceptable solutions and next steps with employee representatives in both locations.
Decision and rationale
Evonik will close two smaller German sites and concentrate the affected businesses at larger locations to reduce fragmentation, cut costs and strengthen competitiveness. Management cited weak global demand, persistent margin pressure and increased supply from Asia as key factors behind the move.
Site specifics and timing
The Hamburg site, with around 50 employees producing products for cosmetics and personal care, is to be closed by the middle of next year and its activities bundled at Essen‑Goldschmidtstrasse. The Bitterfeld site, with about 40 employees producing chlorosilanes including high‑purity silicon tetrachloride, is scheduled to close at the end of April 2027.
Customer supply and alternatives
Evonik says the businesses will continue, concentrated mainly at larger German sites: Care Solutions output will be consolidated at Essen, while chlorosilane supply will be covered primarily from Rheinfelden. The company reviewed options for Bitterfeld including alternative operating concepts, capacity reductions, mothballing and sale, but found none sustainable long term.
Employee relations
Evonik will discuss next steps with employee representatives in Hamburg and Bitterfeld to seek socially acceptable solutions and to communicate changes transparently at an early stage.
Source: Evonik
