No investor: Meyer Burger plants cease operations

There is no investor for the German sites of insolvent solar cell manufacturer Meyer Burger. As the insolvency administrators Lucas Flöther and Reinhard Klose announced, business operations at the plants in Bitterfeld-Wolfen (Saxony-Anhalt) and Hohenstein-Ernstthal (Saxony) were discontinued on September 1. The majority of the approximately 540 employees have been made redundant or given notice, as the insolvency benefit period has expired.

According to the insolvency administrators, talks are still ongoing with potential interested parties. "However, whether these talks will lead to a result is completely open," they said. Flöther emphasized: "We are open to additional offers from investors and ready to start negotiations again." However, there are currently no signs of this. "The solar industry in Germany and Europe is still in an extremely difficult economic situation."

Settlement instead of new beginnings

At Meyer Burger (Germany) GmbH in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, 206 employees were made redundant and 62 continue to support winding-up work. At Meyer Burger (Industries) GmbH with sites in Bitterfeld-Wolfen and Hohenstein-Ernstthal, 271 employees had to be laid off, including 38 who are still carrying out processing activities.

"We very much regret that it is not possible for the employees to continue working as things stand at present," said Klose. Despite the difficult situation, all employees have shown exemplary commitment.

If an investor is found in the short term, the insolvency administrators say it is conceivable that employees who have been laid off or dismissed could be rehired.