Brief
Syngenta warns up to 377 jobs at risk as Grangemouth plant may close
Syngenta says high operating costs could force closure of its Grangemouth site, risking nearly 400 jobs.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Syngenta, owned by Chinese state firm Sinochem, announced on Thursday that it is consulting staff and unions over a possible shutdown of its Grangemouth chemical plant in Scotland, which could make up to 377 workers redundant.
What happened
The company said the Grangemouth location remains "significantly more expensive to operate than other production sites" despite a recent £2 million Scottish Enterprise grant to expand the facility. Formal consultations with employees and trade‑union representatives have begun, but no final decision has been taken.
What the reports add
Syngenta highlighted a "detailed review" of the site amid "increasing international competition and challenging energy positions" and noted that identified savings would still fall short of closing the competitiveness gap.
What was said
Mike Hollands, global head of production and supply for Syngenta Crop Protection, told Independent that the workforce is "highly skilled and passionate" but the site cannot be made competitive. Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay called the proposal "another devastating blow" for workers and the community, while Tory MSP Meghan Gallacher described it as a "hammer blow" that will further damage the local and national economy.
How it came about
The announcement follows the closure of Scotland’s last oil refinery at Grangemouth a year earlier, which also led to more than 400 job losses. Syngenta had received over £2 million in Scottish Enterprise funding to expand the plant, yet cites operating costs as the key barrier.
Key facts
- Syngenta may close its Grangemouth plant, risking up to 377 jobs (independent.co.uk)
- The company says the site is significantly more expensive to run than other locations (independent.co.uk)
- Formal consultations with staff and unions have begun (independent.co.uk)
- Syngenta received more than £2 million in Scottish Enterprise funding for expansion (independent.co.uk)
- Mike Hollands, Syngenta Crop Protection’s global head of production, said the workforce is highly skilled but the site cannot be made competitive (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Chemical firm to cease operations at Grangemouth site putting nearly 400 jobs at risk”
