Job cuts at Wacker - effects for Nünchritz unclear

The impact of the planned 1,500 job cuts at Wacker Chemie on the plant in Nünchritz is still unclear. "We are not yet able to provide details on how many jobs will be lost at which sites," said a company spokeswoman in response to an inquiry. No figure could be given for the Nünchritz site either.

With 1,500 employees, the Wacker plant in Nünchritz is the largest chemical site in Saxony. It produces silicon-based chemicals, for example for the solar industry. Plant manager Jutta Matreux emphasized the central role of affordable energy for the site during a visit by Economics Minister Dirk Panter (SPD) in April.

Red figures

In view of high losses and high costs, the chemical company had announced savings of 300 million euros a year this morning, half of which would be achieved through job cuts. Of the total of 1,500 jobs to be cut, the majority are to be eliminated in Germany. At the end of 2024, the Group employed a good 16,600 people worldwide, including around 10,700 in Germany.

Wacker reported a net loss of just under EUR 105 million after the first nine months of this year. "The aim is to reduce our costs to a competitive level through cost savings," said CEO Christian Hartel. According to the company, Wacker Chemie is the largest supplier of the semiconductor raw material polysilicon for the global chip industry.