Lanaken (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Celanese, a U.S. chemical firm, will close its Lanaken site in 2026, affecting 160 workers. CEO Frank Truyen cites falling demand, high energy costs, and tobacco market decline.
As VRT News reported, Celanese, an American chemical company, announced that it will close its production site in Lanaken, in the province of Limburg, Belgium, next year. The company informed employees and the works council about the plan earlier today, Oct 28, 2025. The closure is planned for the second half of 2026. The move could affect around 160 employees, most of them working in production and support services.
What will the Celanese Lanaken closure mean for 160 workers?
Local authorities and unions have raised concerns about the social and economic impact on families and nearby businesses. The company said it will keep open communication with staff and work on measures such as retraining, job transfers, or compensation.
“We recognise that this is extremely difficult news for them,”
says CEO Frank Truyen.
“The intention to close is in no way a reflection of their hard work and dedication over the years.”
Celanese will close its production site in Lanaken after a full review of its operations and long-term plans. The company said the study showed that the factory is no longer profitable. The plant makes acetate tow, a key material for cigarette filters, but the market for this product has weakened.
Management pointed to falling global demand, uncertain tobacco laws, and high energy costs as the main reasons for the decision.
“The acetate tow market is facing major challenges, and the costs at the Lanaken site are too high,”
the director said.
The announcement is another blow to Lanaken’s industrial sector, which already suffered from the shutdown of paper manufacturer Sappi a few years ago. That closure resulted in more than 600 job losses. With Celanese now following the same path, Lanaken faces another major economic setback.
The plant in Lanaken, owned by Celanese, has been operating since the early 1970s and has historically played an important role in job provision and generally as an employer in the region. Celanese is an American chemical company located in Irving, Texas, with production plants across several countries. In recent years, there has been a marked decline in the market for acetate tow due to the declining sales of cigarettes and recent European tobacco regulations. The plant has also faced high energy costs.
