In a significant restructuring move, Bayer AG has announced the closure of its Frankfurt site, impacting approximately 500 jobs, as part of a broader strategy to streamline its crop science division. The decision, set to be implemented by the end of 2028, reflects the company's response to intense price competition from Asian manufacturers of generic agrochemicals and increasing regulatory challenges. Bayer plans to consolidate its research and development activities in Monheim am Rhein and optimize production at its Dormagen facility, where around 200 positions are also expected to be cut.
The Frankfurt site, which houses production capabilities for herbicide active ingredients and formulations, as well as R&D for crop protection products, will not see a complete shutdown. Bayer is exploring options to transfer parts of the production to its Dormagen and Knapsack sites and is seeking buyers for other segments. This move is aimed at focusing the company's resources on strategic, innovative technologies and products to differentiate itself in a highly competitive market.
The announcement has sparked sharp criticism from the IG BCE chemical union and the works council, who view the planned closure as a historic break with Bayer's long-standing commitment to its German roots. Francesco Grioli, a member of the IG BCE executive board, emphasized the unprecedented nature of abandoning a German site in the company's 162-year history, calling for a thorough examination of alternatives to the shutdown.
Bayer cited the aggressive pricing strategies of Asian generic agrochemical producers, who have built significant overcapacities and are entering the market with prices sometimes below the production costs in Europe, as a key factor behind the restructuring. The company's decision underscores the growing pressures facing the European agrochemical industry from global competition and regulatory hurdles, signaling a challenging road ahead for traditional players in the sector.
The German aristocracy and the town of Leonberg are in mourning following the sudden death of Prince Harald von Hohenzollern, who passed away at the age of 63. The prince, a member of the historic House of Hohenzollern, died from a sudden cardiac arrest while on a business trip in Namibia,...
In a tragic series of events, the Rhine River in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has once again proven to be a perilous location for swimmers, with multiple fatalities reported over recent days. The incidents have prompted renewed warnings from local authorities about the dangers posed by the...
Siemens AG has announced the appointment of Vasi Philomin, a seasoned AI expert from Amazon, to lead its Data & Artificial Intelligence division starting July 1. Philomin, who previously served as Vice President of Generative AI at Amazon Web Services (AWS), is set to drive the development...
Northern Germany experienced significant disruptions to its rail services, with multiple incidents including embankment fires, an overhead line fault, and the disposal of an unexploded World War II bomb near Osnabrück's main station causing widespread delays and cancellations. The Deutsche...
The Munich trial of Alfons Schuhbeck, the once-celebrated chef and restaurateur, has shed light on the dire financial straits that led to his current legal woes. Schuhbeck, who admitted to charges of bankruptcy fraud and misuse of coronavirus aid, revealed in court that he survives on a...
