Wacker to Cut 1,600 Jobs in Germany as It Continues Its PACE Cost-Saving and Efficiency Enhancement Program

• Company management and employee representatives have agreed on a framework for the socially responsible reduction of around 1,600 jobs in Germany.

• Structural measures will be implemented by the end of 2027; no forced redundancies will take place.

• Christian Hartel, CEO of Wacker: "With this agreement, we have taken an important step towards the necessary transformation in Germany and towards strengthening our competitiveness."

May 8, 2026 – Wacker announced that it is continuing to implement its global PACE cost-saving and efficiency enhancement program launched in October 2025. The program aims to achieve annual cost reductions of over €300 million, thereby strengthening the company's long-term competitiveness. As previously announced, the program includes job cuts worldwide.

In Germany, company management and employee representatives have now agreed on an implementation scheme for the socially responsible reduction of around 1,600 positions. The planned job reductions will be carried out through a voluntary program, including attractive phased early retirement arrangements and severance packages. In addition, all employees in Germany will temporarily pay a solidarity contribution until 2028, consisting of a 4% reduction in working hours and pay. This will create the necessary financial leeway to rule out forced redundancies. All structural measures under the PACE program are set to be implemented by the end of 2027.

"The agreement we have reached marks an important step for us in driving forward the necessary transformation in Germany and enhancing our competitiveness," said Christian Hartel, CEO of Wacker. "We have already implemented many measures at our international sites to become more flexible, efficient, and faster. Now these measures will also be rolled out in Germany."

Under the plan, around 1,300 jobs will be cut at Wacker's largest site globally – the Burghausen plant – 200 at the Nünchritz site, 60 at the Munich headquarters, and a total of 50 at other Wacker sites across Germany.

The job reductions are based on a detailed implementation plan agreed by both sides of industry. The plan includes various structural measures, such as the consolidation of production plants, greater flexibility in shift systems, and the transfer of certain activities to international service centers.

"We have developed a sound concept together with employee representatives that will enable the necessary structural measures in Germany to be implemented quickly, and above all in a socially responsible manner," said Angela Wörl, HR Director at Wacker. "This will strengthen the competitiveness of our German operations on an international level and lay the foundation for profitable growth in the future."