The cost of a safe shutdown and decommissioning process is estimated at around 30 million euros. The facilities form a complex network in which, among other things, caprolactam, phenol, cyclohexanone, sulfuric acid, and polyamides are produced. The controlled shutdown is expected to take several weeks. The majority of the 440 employees will continue to be needed for this process for the time being. “Such a cost estimate is necessary for hazard mitigation,” explained the Saxony-Anhalt State Administration Office. The state had previously allocated nearly 80 million euros for the facilities’ emergency operations.
From a Fresh Start to Another Bankruptcy
Leuna Polyamid had acquired the assets of the insolvent Domo Caproleuna as of April 1, 2026. InfraLeuna and Leuna-Harze are behind the newly founded company. More than 430 jobs were initially saved by the takeover. At the same time, the energy and materials network—which is vital to the site—was to be continued.
However, as early as June 17, Leuna Polyamid filed a petition to open insolvency proceedings under self-administration. Production had initially ramped up in April and had reached a level of economically viable plant operation. Subsequently, raw material prices rose by more than 40 to 100 percent as a result of developments in the Gulf region. At the same time, key raw material suppliers demanded payment in advance. The resulting liquidity requirements significantly exceeded projections. The subsequent search for a strategic investor was unsuccessful.
Closure Affects Chemical Cluster in Leuna
With the end of production, existing supplier and customer relationships within the chemical site will cease. Some of the affected companies will have to find new sources of supply or sales channels. InfraLeuna also expects a decline in revenue, as Leuna Polyamid is one of the larger customers for infrastructure services such as steam, energy, and logistics.
There is also a connection to Oberflächentechnik via Leuna-Harze. The company is a co-shareholder of Leuna Polyamid and produces epoxy and coating resins, reactive thinners, and hardeners. The company’s reactive thinners and various modified epoxy resins are used, among other things, in solvent-free coating materials.
This development comes amid a period of continued strain in the German chemical industry. In the second quarter of 2026, chemical and pharmaceutical production rose by 2.4 percent compared to the previous quarter. However, capacity utilization, at 73.2 percent, was significantly below the long-term average of 83 percent. Rising raw material and energy costs are placing an additional strain on the industry. A 1.5 percent decline in production is still expected for the full year.
Sources: CHEManager, June 20, 2026, “Leuna – Polyamid Files for Insolvency Under Self-Administration”; InfraLeuna, April 1, 2026, Takeover of Domo-Caproleuna Operations; MDR/Tagesschau, September 15, 2026, on decommissioning costs and impacts on the site; Leuna-Harze, product information on epoxy resins and reactive thinners; VCI, quarterly report dated September 3, 2026, on the economic situation of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.