Covestro announced on Oct. 15 its intention to consolidate polycarbonate production at its Antwerp site from four lines to one and discontinue local production of the precursor bisphenol-A. Up to 260 employees in production and support functions could be affected out of around 970 at the site.
Covestro said Antwerp polycarbonate operations have been increasingly loss-making since 2022. It cited high production and energy costs, weak demand and persistent global overcapacity in standard polycarbonates, with capacity utilization expected to stay low.
The Antwerp site has four polycarbonate lines with combined capacity of around 240,000 t/y and two BPA plants with total capacity of about 245,000 t/y. Platts assessed northwest European BPA at about EUR 1,770/t in mid-October.
The remaining polycarbonate line will focus on higher-value specialty grades such as heat-resistant APEC. The previously announced investment in a new aniline unit will proceed, and the polyether lines and Technology Centre are unaffected.
Covestro has launched a formal information and consultation process with employee representatives under Belgian law. No final decision will be taken until that process is completed.
