Germany seeks to halt oil refinery closures to protect chemical sector

Germany will seek to stem the loss of domestic oil refining capacity, Rigzone News reported on 24 October 2026. The government argued that refinery closures harm fuel suppliers, consumers, and the country's vast chemicals manufacturing sector. [1]

Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said on 24 October 2026, following a meeting with oil industry officials in Berlin, that losing a refinery harms both gas station supplies and chemical complexes. Bloomberg.com also covered the government initiative to stop further refinery closures as costs mount. [1][2]

Europe has spent years scaling back its aging and high cost refining sector as the shift to cleaner transport and industry reduces demand, Rigzone News reported. This trend has left the region increasingly reliant on imported products, including diesel and jet fuel, creating vulnerabilities during geopolitical disruptions. [1]