Raw materials: Federal government launches strategy to secure refineries

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the loss of refineries could have significant consequences for the industry. The chemical industry in particular would be severely affected.

Berlin. The federal government wants to secure the refinery locations in Germany in the long term and promote the conversion of the industry to more climate-friendly energy sources. To this end, the Ministry of Economics, led by CDU politician Katherina Reiche, started a dialogue with the oil industry on Friday, which will result in a refinery strategy.

This will then be presented to the cabinet, the ministry said. Federal states, unions and affected industries would also be included. Maintaining refinery capacity is a strategic priority of industrial policy.

Germany has eleven refinery locations with an annual processing capacity of over 92 million tons of crude oil. In addition to fuel, the systems also supply important intermediate products, for example for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Consequences for the economy

The ministry warned that their loss could not be offset by imports and would threaten the existence of companies in the chemical industry in particular or force them to relocate. At the same time, the European refining industry is under structural pressure. Billions of dollars in investments are required for the gradual conversion to sustainable instead of fossil raw materials.

In the first half of 2026, the production of gasoline and diesel increased in Germany. The refineries produced 11.0 million tons of motor and aviation fuel, 1.8 percent more than in the same period last year, as the Federal Statistical Office announced. For diesel, the increase was even more significant at 9.4 percent to 15.8 million tons. At the same time, German fuel imports fell significantly in the first half of the year.