Why has INEOS delayed the restart of its Antwerp phenol unit, and what is the new expected timeline?

INEOS has delayed the restart of its Antwerp phenol unit due to persistent global phenol oversupply, shrinking European downstream demand (especially from the weakening automotive sector), high energy costs, and substantial EU carbon taxes — all of which make restarting the unit unprofitable before at least 2028. The company confirmed the unit will not resume production until after 2027, with the earliest possible restart now set for 2028, while the site currently maintains only storage, logistics, and distribution functions.

How does the delay affect INEOS's original 2025 capacity strategy and the fate of its Gladbeck plant?

The delay completely reverses INEOS’s 2025 plan — which aimed to permanently shut down the 650,000-ton-per-year Gladbeck plant by late 2027 and consolidate all European phenol production in Antwerp. Instead, the Gladbeck facility, commissioned in 1954, will remain operational beyond 2027 to continue supplying existing European customers; INEOS will allocate dedicated funds for targeted maintenance to ensure its safe, stable long-term operation.

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INEOS Delays Restart of Antwerp Phenol Unit

Jun 24, 2026

INEOS Phenol postponed restarting its Antwerp phenol unit until after 2027 and delayed closing its Gladbeck plant. Decisions cite global overcapacity, weak European demand, and high energy costs hindering profitability.

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