Clariant has decided to close its Sunliquid bioethanol plant in Podari, Romania. This followed a review that concluded that the economics of the plant could not justify the additional capital expenditure needed to continue the ramp-up.

The company will also downsize the related activities of the Biofuels & Derivatives business line at three sits in Germany. The required capabilities to maintain the technology and to fulfil existing contractual obligations will be kept.

Following a financial assessment of the plant as part of the annual impairment testing in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, Clariant is to take an impairment of about CHF 225 million to the current asset value of its recently opened Sunliquid plant in Podari, Romania.