Type
Merger/Acquisition
Country
Germany
Region
Location of affected unit(s)
Sector
Manufacturing
(22 - 23) Manufacture of rubber, plastic and non-metallic minerals
22 - Manufacture of rubber and plastic products
22 - Manufacture of rubber and plastic products

1,600 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
8 May 2026
Employment effect (start)
8 May 2026
Foreseen end date
31 December 2026

Description

ContiTech, a German subsidiary of Continental operating in the rubber and plastics industry, announced that it will cut approximately 1,600 jobs in Germany as part of a restructuring programme linked to its planned sale to Lone Star Funds. The sale of ContiTech is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Continental is divesting its ContiTech division to concentrate its future activities on tyre manufacturing. The planned workforce reduction is intended to improve competitiveness and reduce costs ahead of the separation. While the restructuring involves job losses, it also includes commitments by the future owner to invest in German sites and provide apprenticeship opportunities, with the aim of safeguarding the remaining jobs and supporting future growth.

The workforce reduction was agreed with the trade union IGBCE. A comprehensive package of measures has been adopted, and compulsory redundancies have been ruled out until 2030. The downsizing is intended to be implemented in a socially responsible manner through voluntary redundancy programmes, early retirement schemes, and targeted support to help affected employees transition into alternative positions.

Prior to the sale, ContiTech employed more than 20,000 people worldwide, including approximately 7,700 in Germany.

This restructuring event comes after the 580 jobs cut in 2025: Contitech 2025 - DE and 642 jobs cut in 2024: Contitech 2024 - DE.


Citation

Eurofound (2026), Contitech, Merger/Acquisition in Germany, factsheet number 300712, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/300712.