Westlake to close Cologne PVC plant in Germany

Westlake Corporation will close its PVC production plant in Cologne, Germany, citing weak demand, elevated energy costs and import pressure from Asia. In its 29 September announcement, the company said the site’s smaller scale and higher logistics burden made it more costly than its other European PVC operations.

The closure is part of an effort to improve the profitability of Westlake’s European chlorovinyls business. The company will continue serving customers from its remaining German facilities, including the recently acquired Wilhelmshaven site.

The Cologne plant has annual PVC capacity of approximately 165,000 tonnes. Westlake expects operations to cease in the first quarter of 2027, subject to consultations with works councils, unions and public authorities.

The company expects total pre-tax closure charges of around $205 million. Its SEC filing says the plan could affect approximately 120 employees and that actual costs and timing may change as the closure proceeds.