Covestro announced on Oct. 15 its intention to restructure polycarbonate production at its Antwerp, Belgium site, cutting four PC lines to one and halting production of PC feedstock bisphenol A. The Antwerp site has a PC nameplate capacity of 240,000 metric tons/year, according to a company spokesperson cited by Platts. BPA capacity is estimated at about 245,000 mt/year according to S&P Global Energy CERA data.
The company said Antwerp PC operations have been increasingly loss-making since 2022, driven by high production and energy costs, weak European demand and a wave of Asian capacity additions that created persistent global overcapacity in standard PC grades. The remaining line would focus on higher-value specialty grades such as heat-resistant APEC.
The company said it could source BPA for the remaining line from its global production network or external suppliers. A previously announced investment in a new aniline unit will proceed as planned, and the site's polyether lines and Technology Centre are unaffected.
Covestro has launched the formal information and consultation process with employee representatives under Belgian law. It said no final decision will be taken until the process is completed. Up to 260 of roughly 970 employees in production and support functions could be affected.
Platts assessed DDP Northwest Europe BPA at €1,770/mt on Oct. 13, while PC extrusion grade was assessed at €2,000/mt and GP molding grade at €2,300/mt on Oct. 14.
