ExxonMobil ceases production at Fife ethylene plant
- This news was first announced on the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg1jv77vy8o
Production has ceased at ExxonMobil’s Mossmorran chemical works in Fife after the company said the plant was losing around £1 million a week. The Fife Ethylene Plant, which has operated for more than 40 years, permanently shut down on February 2 and will now be fully decommissioned, with the process expected to be completed by early 2028.
The closure puts around 400 jobs at risk, affecting workers in manufacturing as well as construction, repair and maintenance roles. A task force was set up last week to support affected workers. ExxonMobil said the shutdown does not affect the neighboring Shell site; ethane previously sent to Mossmorran will instead be fed into the national gas grid.
Unite the union strongly criticized the decision, calling it a “premature” closure and blaming the UK government for failing to protect highly skilled jobs. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the move as a betrayal by a profitable multinational and warned of a severe impact on the local community.
Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the closure was difficult news and confirmed the Scottish government has committed £9 million over three years to support workers, provide skills and employability assistance, and help secure the site’s long-term future through new investment opportunities.
The UK government said it had explored all reasonable options to support the plant and would continue working with the company and sector, including ensuring affected workers receive job interviews at the Grangemouth cracker.
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