[REVISION HISTORY]

Varta battery maker insolvency

Updated 7 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-27 08:32 UTC → 2026-07-27 12:44 UTC · added ~~removed~~

On 26 July 2026 the Stuttgart Local Court confirmed VARTA AG’s ~~four~~ self‑administered insolvency filings for the parent and three subsidiaries. The procedure is framed as a preliminary step to protect the group’s long‑term future while allowing day‑to‑day operations—especially the consumer‑household battery business (AA and AAA cells)—to continue unchanged. The filing ~~follows~~ cites a structural funding gap expected from 2027, a steep market slowdown, ~~lower~~ weaker demand, adverse exchange‑rate effects and the recent loss of Apple’s CoinPower button‑cell contract, which was moved to Chinese suppliers. ~~Financing requests from shareholder~~ Shareholders Porsche AG and Austrian investor Michael Tojner ~~were denied,~~ declined further financing, leaving VARTA with limited cash. VARTA reported 2024 revenue of roughly €793 million and a loss of €64.5 million. ~~About 3,260 jobs are at risk, including~~ The group employs roughly 3,200‑4,000 people, with about 350 ~~positions~~ jobs at the Nördlingen ~~plant.~~ plant at risk. Creditors, led by Deutsche Bank, are examining a takeover of the profitable household‑battery segment, which ~~may be spun off.~~ the company says will remain outside the insolvency process. Michael Tojner has expressed interest in acquiring the micro‑battery division. Analysts warn that fragmenting the group could weaken Germany’s battery sector and impede future innovation, while potential buyers ~~are weighing~~ weigh the value of ~~the~~ split business units. The restructuring aims to preserve as many jobs as possible while securing the long‑term viability of the business amid intense competition and broader European battery‑industry challenges.

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