Westlake Corporation announced that it will close its polyvinyl chloride plant in Cologne, Germany, operated by Westlake Vinnolit. The facility has an annual production capacity of approximately 165,000 metric tons of PVC.
The company cited difficult conditions in Europe including weak demand, elevated energy costs and increased import pressure from Asia. The Cologne plant has higher costs than Westlakes other European PVC sites due to its smaller scale and higher logistical burden. Westlake will continue to serve customers from its remaining lower-cost German facilities, including the recently acquired Wilhelmshaven site.
Westlake expects to record total pre-tax charges of approximately $205 million in connection with the closure. The site is expected to cease operations in the first quarter of 2027.
