COVESTRO
Producer plans to cut Antwerp PC capacity by 75% amid global oversupply
— By Plasteurope.com staff —
Covestro (Leverkusen, Germany; www.covestro.com) plans to slash polycarbonate production at its Lillo site in Antwerp, Belgium, from four production lines to just one, cutting capacity to a quarter of its current level. The company also intends to shut down its bisphenol A (BPA) plant at the site.
The proposed measures could affect up to 260 of the approximately 970 employees currently working at Lillo.
Covestro (Leverkusen, Germany; www.covestro.com) plans to slash polycarbonate production at its Lillo site in Antwerp, Belgium, from four production lines to just one, cutting capacity to a quarter of its current level. The company also intends to shut down its bisphenol A (BPA) plant at the site.
The proposed measures could affect up to 260 of the approximately 970 employees currently working at Lillo.
 Covestro’s Lillo production site in Antwerp (Photo: Covestro) |
A Covestro spokesperson told Plasteurope.com that it was too early to provide details of the costs or implementation timetable. Consultation with employees is just now starting; a final decision will be taken after the talks have finished.
Global oversupply puts Antwerp operations under pressure
Covestro CEO Markus Steilemann said the measure – a response to “fundamentally changed market conditions in Europe” – was due to substantial capacity expansions, particularly in Asia. These have created global oversupply in standard polycarbonates, significantly reducing capacity utilisation at the Antwerp site, he added. Utilisation is expected to remain low for the foreseeable future.
The group’s Belgian subsidiary has reportedly been suffering mounting losses since 2022, putting the future of the entire site at risk.
Related: Global PE, PP oversupply caps prices in 2025
According to PIE’s Polyglobe database, Antwerp currently has total PC capacity of 240,000 t/y. Covestro has not disclosed whether its four production lines are of equal size. If they are, retaining just one line would reduce capacity to 60,000 t/y.
The remaining line is expected to focus on higher-value polycarbonate grades, including the heat-resistant Apec range.
The group’s Belgian subsidiary has reportedly been suffering mounting losses since 2022, putting the future of the entire site at risk.
Related: Global PE, PP oversupply caps prices in 2025
According to PIE’s Polyglobe database, Antwerp currently has total PC capacity of 240,000 t/y. Covestro has not disclosed whether its four production lines are of equal size. If they are, retaining just one line would reduce capacity to 60,000 t/y.
The remaining line is expected to focus on higher-value polycarbonate grades, including the heat-resistant Apec range.
BPA closure raises supply questions
The planned shutdown of Antwerp’s BPA plant, which has capacity of 245,000 t/y, would leave Covestro needing to source the feedstock required for its remaining PC production either from external suppliers or from other group sites in Krefeld (Germany), Thailand, China, or the US.
However, the company’s Krefeld plant is likely to be fully occupied supplying its own PC production lines.
Related: UK proposed BPA restriction to be aligned with EU, Canada
In 2024, Covestro commissioned a smaller PC copolymer production unit in Antwerp. The company also has aniline production at the site, with investment currently under way to expand capacity, as well as large-scale polyether polyol lines.
However, the company’s Krefeld plant is likely to be fully occupied supplying its own PC production lines.
Related: UK proposed BPA restriction to be aligned with EU, Canada
In 2024, Covestro commissioned a smaller PC copolymer production unit in Antwerp. The company also has aniline production at the site, with investment currently under way to expand capacity, as well as large-scale polyether polyol lines.
15.10.2026 Plasteurope.com [261197-0]
Published on 15.10.2026