Biontech faces union criticism over plant closures and job losses

The IG BCE union says Biontech has given no transparent information about the sale of its production sites in Idar‑Oberstein, Marburg, Singapore and the acquired Curevac facilities, leaving up to 1,860 jobs at risk. Union secretary Christian Trapp warned that employees are “greatly unsettled” and that the works council has not been involved.

Biontech announced the closures because of under‑utilisation, excess capacity and cost‑saving measures, and plans to refocus on oncology research. Co‑founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci are leaving the firm to start a new mRNA‑drug company, while the board searches for new leadership, with a focus on the United States.

The company, known globally for its Covid‑19 vaccine partnership with Pfizer, employs around 7,200 people worldwide, including about 4,000 in Mainz, Germany. The union accused management of prioritising profit over its original mission.