The European chemical industry's 'shutdown wave': Exactly how many chemical plants have been shut down? Let us list them for you.

In April 2024, when ExxonMobil announced the permanent shutdown of its 425,000-ton-per-year ethylene plant in Gravenchon, France, the industry viewed it merely as a routine 'cost optimization.' No one anticipated that this would mark the beginning of the most concentrated shutdown wave in the history of Europe’s chemical industry. Within just 15 months—from the North Sea coast to Mediterranean ports—smokestacks at chemical facilities successively fell silent: a total of 21 multinational corporations, over 40 large-scale production units, and more than 15 million tons per year of capacity were placed on the 'death list.' If all plans proceed as scheduled, by the end of 2027, Europe will permanently lose 4.6 million tons of ethylene, 2.28 million tons of propylene, and 430,000 tons of butadiene—equivalent in scale to two world-class petrochemical bases in China. ExxonMobil: In April 2024, announced the permanent shutdown of its ethylene steam cracker and associated facilities in Gravenchon, France, with an ethylene capacity of 425,000 tons/year. LyondellBasell: Between March 2024 and June 2025, implemented a series of exit measures. — Jointly decided with Covestro to permanently shut down the propylene oxide (PO)/styrene monomer unit at its Maasvlakte plant in the Netherlands, with PO capacity of 315,000 tons/year and styrene capacity of 640,000 tons/year. — Plans to sell its four olefins and polyolefins assets and related businesses in Europe to AEQUITA; the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026. SABIC: Announced its shutdown plan covering April 2024 to June 2025. — Shut down its 575,000-ton-per-year cracker at its Geleen plant in the Netherlands. — Permanently shut down Olefin VI steam cracker at Wilton, Teesside, UK, with ethylene capacity of 865,000 tons/year; the unit has remained idle since its maintenance in October 2020. Dow: In July 2024, announced the closure of three chemical plants in Europe. — Shut down its ethylene cracker in Böhlen, Germany, and its chlor-alkali/vinyl assets in Schkopau, with cessation expected in Q4 2027. — Shut down its base silicones plant in Barry, UK (capacity: 145,000 tons/year), scheduled for mid-2026. — Shut down its Schkopau chlor-alkali plant, with capacities of 250,000 tons/year chlorine, 275,000 tons/year caustic soda, 250,000 tons/year EDC, and 390,000 tons/year VCM; closure expected in Q4 2027. AkzoNobel: Between 2024 and May 2025, progressively closed certain capacities. — Plans to close its production sites in Wapenveld, the Netherlands, and Machelen, Belgium, consolidating production into other regional facilities. — Closed three production sites across Europe and Africa: Groot-Ammers (the Netherlands), Cork (Ireland), and Lusaka (Zambia). Huntsman: Implemented multiple shutdown measures between February and May 2025. — May close its polyurethane plants in Europe. — Following evaluation on May 28, decided to shut down its maleic anhydride plant in Moers, Germany, by the end of Q2.

Reviewing 2025! 44 global chemical giants 'slim down' massively: shutting down facilities, selling assets, laying off staff...

September: BASF decided to exit the hydrosulfites business and shut down related production facilities in Ludwigshafen, affecting approximately 65 employees. October: BASF completed the sale of its Food & Health functional ingredients business to Louis Dreyfus Company, including a production site in Illertissen, Germany; three application laboratories outside Germany; and around 300 employees. Same month: BASF completed the sale of its Brazilian decorative coatings business to Sherwin-Williams, including the Demarchi and Jaboatão production sites, related contracts, the Suvinil and Glasu! brands, and approximately 1,000 employees. Same month: BASF sold its remaining coatings business to a fund managed by Carlyle and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA); BASF retains a 40% equity stake in the coatings business and expects to receive approximately €5.8 billion in pre-tax cash proceeds. December: BASF sold its optical brightener business to Catexel, including its international operations at the Monthey plant in Switzerland and approximately 80 employees. 3. Arkema January: Arkema decided to restructure its Jarrie plant (specializing in chlorine and derivatives), closing production of chlorine, caustic soda, chloromethane, and technical fluids, eliminating 154 jobs. December: Arkema announced plans to sell part of its plastic additives business to India’s Praana Group. This divestiture covers Arkema’s global impact modifiers and processing aids business—including methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) copolymers worldwide and acrylic copolymers (AIMPA) in Europe and Asia. The transaction involves Arkema’s production facility in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, which employs 50 people. Arkema will retain its Mobile, Alabama (USA) plant and its entire AIMPA business in the United States. 4. INEOS January: INEOS shut down the UK’s last synthetic ethanol plant, resulting in hundreds of job losses. May: INEOS sold its INEOS Hygienics business to Middle Eastern family office SKG Capital Partners, transferring the business and team to the buyer. June: INEOS Phenol, a subsidiary of INEOS, plans to permanently cease production at its phenol (650,000 tons/year) and acetone manufacturing site in Gladbeck, Germany. The plant directly employs 279 people and indirectly supports over 1,500 jobs. September: INEOS will indefinitely suspend its European propylene oxide (PO) and propylene glycol (PG) production and withdraw from relevant working groups of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) by 2026. October: INEOS cut 20% of its workforce at its acetyl plant in Hull, UK—resulting in the loss of 60 technical positions. Same month: INEOS plans to close two production plants in Rheinberg, Germany—one producing key epoxy resin components in the allyl chemicals division, and the other an electrochemical plant producing chlorine—eliminating 175 jobs.

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