Ineos Phenol: Closure of the phenol plant in Gladbeck

Ineos Phenol plant in Gladbeck – (Image: Ineos Phenol).

Ineos Phenol, which claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of phenol and acetone, announced today its intention to permanently shut down production at its Gladbeck site. According to the company, extremely high energy costs in Europe, combined with strict CO₂ tax policies, have made Europe uncompetitive with imported products from China and global oversupply.

Following a thorough strategic review, the company intends to permanently close the Gladbeck site at a date yet to be confirmed. Europe's lack of competitiveness has already led to several downstream customers of phenol and acetone leaving the site, meaning that local demand no longer justifies the operation of the Gladbeck site, which was established in 1954 and requires significant future investment.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of Ineos, said: ‘This is the result of Europe's total lack of competitiveness in energy and its blind devotion to CO2 taxation, which is leading to massive deindustrialisation across the continent. Gladbeck is not the first and will definitely not be the last site to go if regulators do not wake up and take action.’

Ineos Phenol now intends to enter into discussions with the works council, employees, customers and suppliers to close the site in a safe, responsible and compliant manner. The company remains committed to the phenol business to supply its customers worldwide.

The Ineos Phenol plant in Gladbeck has a production capacity of 650,000 tonnes per year, making it one of the largest plants of its kind in the world. The site employs 279 people.

Phenol is a chemical used as an intermediate product, particularly in the manufacture of various plastics. The phenol and acetone produced in Gladbeck are used in a wide range of applications, such as in front and rear lights for cars, as raw materials essential for printed circuit boards and the manufacture of wind turbine blades, as raw materials for the manufacture of brake pads for motor vehicles, and as solvents for use throughout the manufacturing industry.

More information: www.ineos.com

Ineos Phenol, Gladbeck, Germany

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