Type
Closure
Country
Romania
Region
Macroregiunea Patru; Sud-Vest Oltenia; Dolj
Location of affected unit(s)
Podari
Sector
Manufacturing
(20 - 21) Manufacture of chemicals and pharmaceuticals
20.1 - Manufacture of basic chemicals, fertilisers and nitrogen compounds, plastics and synthetic rubber in primary forms
20.13 - Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals

120 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
29 November 2023
Employment effect (start)
1 December 2022
Foreseen end date

Description

Clariant, a Swiss chemical company, announced 170 job cuts—120 at its Podari bioethanol plant in Romania and 50 across its biofuels and derivatives sites in Straubing, Planegg and Munich, Germany. The layoffs will affect the production plants in both countries, with the restructuring slated to commence shortly after the December 6 announcement.

The company cited persistent technical issues that prevented the Podari facility from reaching its 50,000-ton capacity, resulting in significant losses and undermining the economics of the second-generation biofuel business. These operational challenges prompted the decision to close the plant and reduce staffing levels.

The 120 Romanian job cuts target the Podari site, while the 50 German cuts affect the biofuels and derivatives operations.

Clariant operates globally in the chemical and bio‑fuel sector.


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2023), Clariant, Closure in Romania, factsheet number 204022, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/204022.