- Soda production in Janikowo will cease by July 2025 due to high energy costs and competition.
- Up to 350 employees face redundancies, with retraining and severance packages offered.
- Qemetica acquired a precipitated silica business in the USA to diversify operations.
- A waste incineration plant in Inowrocław aims to reduce energy costs and boost competitiveness.
Plant Hibernation and Market Challenges
QEMETICA is preparing to hibernate its Janikowo soda plant by July 2025 due to high energy costs and competition from non-EU producers. The decision follows increased EU carbon emission allowance prices and the influx of cheaper Turkish soda, which has captured 30% of the Polish market. Environmental regulations further challenge European producers, while non-EU competitors remain unaffected.
Impact on Employees
The hibernation will result in group redundancies affecting up to 350 employees. QEMETICA is collaborating with local authorities and trade unions to offer retraining programs, voluntary redundancy schemes, and severance packages exceeding market standards. Approximately 90 employees will remain to oversee the hibernation process and maintain critical installations.
Conditions for Resuming Production
QEMETICA states that production in Janikowo could resume if national and EU-level actions are taken, such as introducing countervailing duties on Turkish soda, reducing energy costs, and revising environmental regulations. Without these changes, restarting production is not economically viable.
Diversification and Investments
In response to the European chemical industry's crisis, QEMETICA is diversifying operations and investing globally. The company has acquired a precipitated silica business in the USA, enhancing its position in the global market. Additionally, QEMETICA is constructing a waste incineration plant in Inowrocław to reduce energy costs and increase the competitiveness of its soda production in Poland.
Commitment to Janikowo
Despite the hibernation, QEMETICA will maintain heat supply and wastewater treatment services in Janikowo until 2028, allowing the city time to develop sustainable alternatives. The plant's infrastructure will remain viable for future use, with potential for restarting production or repurposing the site for other industrial activities.
