The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Manufacturing (20 - 21) Manufacture of chemicals and pharmaceuticals 20 - Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products 20 - Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products
1,500 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
27 November 2025
Employment effect (start)
1 January 2026
Foreseen end date
31 December 2027
Description
Wacker Chemie, the German chemical producer, has announced it will cut more than 1,500 jobs worldwide by the end of 2027.
The majority of redundancies are expected in Germany, but more detailed information on the scale of restructuring is not yet available. The cuts are part of a cost-saving programme to be implemented between early 2026 and the end of 2027.
The company aims to reduce annual costs by over €300 million, with about half of the savings generated through workforce reductions. Wacker Chemie justifies the decision to high energy prices, increased bureaucracy, weak demand and strong competitive pressure from Chinese producers. The company reported a net loss of nearly €105 million in the first nine months of the year and says profitability has become unsustainable under current conditions.
The company is a leading global supplier of high-purity polysilicon used in the semiconductor industry. The company has 27 production sites worldwide, including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Czechia, Norway, China, and the United States. Wacker Chemie employs around 16,600 people globally, including 10,700 in Germany.
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