After developing the respective technology – that converts agricultural waste into second-generation bioethanol – Clariant had taken the decision in 2017 to establish its own commercial Sunliquid plant in Podari, which began producing bioethanol in the second quarter of 2022. In July 2023, Clariant started a strategic evaluation of the options for the plant after it became clear that the plant did not achieve the targeted operational parameters.

Clariant stated that in view of the continuing losses, the profitability of the Podari plant cannot justify a further expansion of operations as this would require significant additional capital expenditure. Required capabilities to maintain the technology and to fulfill existing contractual obligations will be kept.

“After a careful review of all the strategic options, we have decided to close the Podari operation. We will work closely with employee representatives in Romania and Germany and are committed to finding solutions that are most socially responsible. For a company that focuses as much on innovation as we do, it is imperative to take firm decisions when a project does not fulfill expectations and to execute even more rigorously on our sustainable growth strategy,” said Clariant’s CEO Conrad Keijzer.