Evonik records ‘minor impact’ on supply chains from high Rhine water levels

LONDON (ICIS)–Evonik has faced some transport issues because of the River Rhine’s high water levels but there was “minor impact” on its supply chains, a spokesperson at the German chemicals major said to ICIS late on Wednesday.

The producer said there was no reason “up to now” to speculate on the potential financial impact the disruption could have on the third-quarter financial results.

“The tremendous flooding in western parts of Germany fortunately didn’t hit our sites directly. Nevertheless – and like many others – we have to handle some transport issues as a consequence of road and railroad interruptions in the region,” said the spokesperson.

Evonik operates sites mostly in the Cologne and Duisburg areas, where water levels on the Rhine never reached the legal maximum in which shipping has to be shut.

“Therefore, shipping was still possible and currently the water levels are falling. The Rhine water levels south of Ludwigshafen have been above the critical levels over some days,” the Evonik spokesperson added.

“However, as there are only a few barge transports for Evonik to and from this region we only experienced some minor impacts on our supply chains.”

River Rhine closures on Wednesday

Map by Miguel Rodriguez-Fernandez