A beer bottle manufacturer plans to close its glass plant in Essen, possibly as early as the end of March.
Essen – The French glass group Verallia is planning to shut down its site in Essen, according to reports by WDR. The company cites declining demand for glass packaging as the main reason, specifically the loss of orders from beer producers.
Glass Manufacturer Verallia to Shut Down Plant After Losing Orders
The facility in northern Essen primarily produces beer bottles. On its website, Verallia lists brands such as Veltins, Krombacher and Paulaner among its customers.
Recently, however, the plant reportedly lost important contracts from the brewing industry, which the company now names as the decisive factor behind the planned closure. Verallia officially describes the move as an “adjustment of production capacities in Europe”, a trend that is currently affecting other long established companies in North Rhine Westphalia as well.
Verallia to Close Glass Plant in Essen: Over 100 Years of Industrial History
The Essen plant looks back on more than a century of tradition. For Essen’s mayor Thomas Kufen (CDU), the news represents a loss not only economically but also historically.
“The intended closure of the glassworks of Verallia Deutschland AG is a hard blow for our city,” Kufen said in a statement released by the City of Essen. “I deeply regret these plans, especially because the plant has stood for more than 100 years for industrial tradition, innovation and good jobs in Essen.”
City of Essen Wants to Support Verallia Employees
The main concern now is for the approximately 310 employees in North Rhine Westphalia who are worried about their professional future. The City of Essen has announced that it will work closely with the Essen Economic Development Agency (EWG) and the company.
The goal is to develop new prospects and provide the best possible support for those affected. Kufen emphasized: “They must not be left alone in this difficult situation.” The city is planning short term discussions with the works council and management in order to coordinate concrete support measures.
According to its own statements, Verallia is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of glass packaging and supplies around 10,000 customers worldwide. The closure in Essen is part of a broader restructuring and shutdown of several plants across Europe. The exact date for the end of production has not yet been confirmed, but according to WDR the closure could begin as early as the end of March 2026.
