Wacker expects modest growth in 2026 after difficult 2025

Munich, Germany — German specialty chemicals company Wacker Chemie AG said it expects only modest growth in 2026 following a difficult year marked by declining sales and a significant net loss.

The company reported 2025 sales of €5.49 billion, down 4.1% from €5.72 billion in 2024 as weak demand and challenging market conditions weighed on several business segments. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell 43% to €426.7 million, while the company recorded a net loss of €804.9 million for the year.

Wacker attributed the weaker results to lower volumes, declining selling prices and negative currency effects, as well as restructuring expenses tied to its ongoing cost-reduction program. The company launched the “PACE” program in 2025 to reduce costs and improve competitiveness, targeting more than €300 million in annual savings through measures including job reductions and operational efficiencies.

Several of Wacker’s business divisions reported declines in 2025. Sales in the Polymers segment fell 6% to €1.38 billion as demand from the construction industry, particularly in China and Western Europe, remained weak. EBITDA for the segment dropped 19% to €158 million. The Biosolutions division also saw sales decrease 4% to €360 million, with EBITDA falling to €21 million.

In the Polysilicon division, sales declined 7% to €883 million and EBITDA dropped sharply to €96 million, reflecting lower volumes of solar-grade polysilicon and reduced plant utilization rates. However, the company said demand for high-purity polysilicon used in semiconductor applications remained strong.

Looking ahead, Wacker expects sales in 2026 to increase by a low single-digit percentage compared with 2025. The company forecasts EBITDA in a range between €550 million and €700 million, supported by higher volumes and cost-reduction measures.

For the first quarter of 2026, Wacker anticipates sales of about €1.35 billion, slightly below the same period last year due mainly to currency effects, but expects EBITDA to improve to between €140 million and €160 million.

Chief Executive Officer Christian Hartel said the company still does not see a broad market recovery but is focused on internal measures to improve performance and return to profitable growth in the medium term.

Wacker Chemie AG manufactures silicone products, polymer binders, polysilicon and biotechnology products and operates production sites and sales offices worldwide.