Updated: Plea to prevent closure of Versalis synthetic rubber plant in UK

London – Polymers and chemicals major Versalis is said to be closing its elastomers production plant in Grangemouth, Scotland with the loss of 135 direct jobs.

In a statement 14 Dec, Scottish MP Gillian Mackay called for “urgent talks with stakeholders and workers” to investigate how to protect the future of the plant.

“This will be devastating news for workers… I am asking for urgent updates from the site owners and unions as to what else might be done,” she added.

"We cannot," she added, “have a situation where businesses opt to just up sticks and leave, abandoning the staff and the community that have supported them loyalty and skilfully over the years, without exhausting every possible alternative solution.”

Operational since 1963, the plant in Grangemouth has listed capacity to produce 80 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) of polybutadiene and 60ktpa of styrene butadiene rubbers (SBR).

In a statement to local press, Versalis said the decision was made "due to worsening conditions of the elastomers market, declining sales, increasing costs and negative outlook."

A phased closure process, Versalis told Argus Media, will begin in the coming months towards completion in April 2024.

Meanwhile, the GMB trade union has responded to reports that the Grangemouth refinery is to close: transitioning from domestic production to a fuel import terminal.

The move, it said, could impact the UK's energy security, as well as having implications for manufacturing sectors in the country.

“This is a deeply worrying time for the future of the workers and communities dependent on Grangemouth," said Gary Smith, general secretary, GMB.

"Time and again, GMB has said the UK needs a plan and not bans for better energy independence and prosperity," added Smith.

ERJ has requested details about these developments from Versalis.