Chemical giant Dow cuts hundreds of jobs in the Netherlands

American chemical company Dow has announced significant job cuts in the Netherlands, planning to eliminate 605 positions across its Dutch operations. The company confirmed this decision to employees and employee representatives.

The largest affected facility is located in Terneuzen, in the Dutch province of Zeeland, near the Belgian border. This site is a major complex housing factories that produce plastics and basic raw materials. Dow also has operations in Delfzijl and Dordrecht. The company has initiated a consultation process with the works council of its Dutch branch, and it is not yet clear whether all the layoffs will involve compulsory dismissals.

These Dutch job cuts are part of a broader global restructuring announced by Dow in January, which aims to eliminate 4,500 jobs worldwide from its approximately 35,000-strong workforce. The company's objective is to enhance profitability by reducing costs, streamlining management layers, increasing automation, and improving production efficiency.

Dow also has facilities in Belgium, including sites in Antwerp, Brussels, Tertre, Zwijndrecht, and Seneffe. A previous global restructuring in 2023 led to the elimination of 5 out of 50 jobs at smaller sites in Flanders and Brussels. The Dow Silicones site in Seneffe employs around 450 workers, while the Dow subsidiary Polyol in Tertre, which produces polyurethane, had announced its closure by March 31, 2026, affecting about forty employees.

The company's strategic moves reflect a broader trend in the chemical industry towards consolidation and efficiency improvements to navigate market challenges and boost financial performance.