Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
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.
Dow, a US‑based chemicals manufacturer, announced 800 job cuts in Europe linked to the planned shutdown of three chemical plants: an ethylene cracker in Böhlen (Germany), chlor‑alkali and vinyl facilities in Schkopau (Germany), and a basic siloxanes plant in Barry (UK). The company is restructuring due to structural challenges in Europe, including high energy costs, weakening demand and stringent environmental regulations. By removing high‑cost, energy‑intensive assets from its portfolio, Dow aims to improve competitiveness and restore a better balance between supply and demand in the commodity chemicals market.
Dow employed nearly 36 000 people worldwide as of September 2024. The three plants concerned represent older, high‑cost assets within the company’s European operations, but the article does not specify the total workforce at the affected sites or the share impacted.
This comes after the company already announced the cuts of 1,500 positions worldwide, mainly in the United-States
Eurofound (2025), Dow, Internal restructuring in World, factsheet number 204001, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/204001.
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