Venator’s insolvency has hit the German chemical industry hard. After almost 150 years, the company has been forced to file for insolvency at its Duisburg and Krefeld sites. Around 700 employees now face job losses, while the consequences of the energy crisis further exacerbate the situation. (bild: 10.09.25)
Two locations under pressure
First, the plant in Krefeld-Uerdingen filed for insolvency, followed shortly thereafter by Duisburg. 410 people work in Krefeld, and around 290 in Duisburg. Venator had already implemented drastic restructuring measures the previous year: around 290 jobs were eliminated, and titanium dioxide production was also discontinued. However, the cuts were not enough to keep the company profitable in the chemicals industry.
The Duisburg plant, in particular, plays a central role. Pigments and additives used in paints, plastics, cosmetics, and cars are produced here. Despite its broad product range, this site also fell into insolvency proceedings because the energy crisis drove up costs dramatically.
Causes in the global environment
According to the provisional insolvency administrator, Sarah Wolf, energy and raw material prices in particular have risen dramatically since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. At the same time, the British parent company stopped financial injections for the German companies. At the same time, it initiated proceedings in the United Kingdom for other parts of Venator. This dependence exacerbated the situation and put numerous jobs at risk.
Added to this was the fact that Krefeld had already gone through insolvency proceedings in 2009. Now the crisis is repeating itself – with even more serious consequences for the workforce and the entire chemical industry.
Duisburg: A Bearer of Hope
Operations in Duisburg continue. Wages and salaries are secured through insolvency benefits from the Federal Employment Agency. Wolf emphasized: “Our goal is to stabilize business operations in Duisburg and develop a viable solution for the future.”
The works council appealed to employees to remain motivated. “If we bury our heads in the sand now, we’ve lost,” said Uwe Sova. He pointed out that, unlike other parts of Venator, the Duisburg plant is still operating in the black. This gives this location a chance to attract investors.
Different Starting Positions
While Duisburg is considered a profitable part of the region, Krefeld is struggling more with the consequences of the energy crisis. The burden of raw material prices and the weak global economy is particularly high here. Many employees fear that their jobs will be lost forever.
The dependence on the parent company in Great Britain clearly demonstrated how little influence the German locations had on their own decisions. Without fresh capital, even a company with a long tradition like Venator found itself in trouble.
Uncertain Future
Whether a buyer is found will be determined in the coming months. Duisburg could be attractive thanks to its positive balance sheet, while Krefeld will have to fight harder for rescue. The decisive factor remains whether investors have confidence in the chemical industry and are willing to invest despite the energy crisis.
After almost 150 years, an era may be coming to an end for Venator. There is still hope that at least part of the company will survive and the affected employees will retain their jobs. The coming weeks will show whether the insolvency proceedings will enable a new beginning or finally mark the end of the crisis.