Europe’s specialty chemical makers feel the heat

High energy costs and soft demand—two problems that for the past few years have been hurting Europe’s petrochemical makers—are now taking a toll on the region’s specialty chemical producers. As a result, some specialties firms have closed or plan to close plants across Europe.Solvay says that by early 2026 it will close a facility in Bad Wimpfen, Germany, that makes compounds related to trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), as well as inorganic compounds, including hydrogen fluoride. The closure will result in the loss of about 100 jobs. TFA is used as a solvent, catalyst, and reagent. Solvay says in a press release that it is closing the plant in order “to secure its long-term competitiveness in Germany.” In a second move, by 2028, Solvay plans to shut its site in Garbsen, Germany, which has a technology center and a plant for making its Nocolok brand of aluminum flux. The company plans to relocate these activities to Bad Wimpfen.Ineos is closing one plant in France and another in Germany. As of Sept. 1, Ineos has mothballed its chloromethane facility in Tavaux, France, in response to persistently weak demand, high energy costs, and challenging regulations, the firm says in a press release. To offset any impact on its customers, Ineos plans to enhance chloromethane production at its site in Rosignano Marittimo, Italy. Chloromethane is used in products including adhesives, lubricants, and sealants.“Our industry continues to face difficult market dynamics and challenging energy costs, with European gas prices around three times higher than the US,”