The German industrial sector is facing a significant downturn, impacting communities like Ludwigshafen, a town heavily reliant on the chemical giant BASF.

• BASF has cut 2,500 jobs in Ludwigshafen since 2022 and is shifting focus to China, investing €8.7 billion in a new complex.
• The sale of thousands of company-owned apartments has fueled unease among workers and residents, raising concerns about further cutbacks.
• German industrial companies cut 124,000 jobs last year, with the manufacturing sector's share in the economy shrinking to 19.5% in 2025.