Westlake to close PVC plant in Cologne, Germany

Westlake Corporation has announced the closure of its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant in Cologne, Germany, as part of a strategy to improve profitability within its European chlorovinyl business. The shutdown is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

The company cited several challenging market conditions for the decision, including weak demand, high energy costs, and increased import pressure from Asia. Additionally, the Cologne facility faced higher operational and logistical costs compared to Westlake’s other European production sites.

To mitigate the impact on customers, Westlake plans to fulfill PVC requirements through its remaining, more cost-effective German facilities, including its recently acquired site in Wilhelmshaven. The company expects to record approximately $110 million in charges related to this restructuring during 2026.