Production at the Mossmorran chemical works in Fife has officially ended after owner ExxonMobil said the plant had been losing £1 million a week.
The decision comes less than a week after the first meeting of a taskforce set up to support the 400 workers whose jobs have been placed in jeopardy. ExxonMobil has confirmed the site will now be fully decommissioned, with the process expected to be completed by early 2028.
It is understood the closure will not affect the neighbouring Shell site. The ethane previously supplied to ExxonMobil will now be redirected to the national gas grid.
Unite the Union has condemned the decision to “prematurely” close the Fife Ethylene Plant, describing it as a “failure” of UK government ministers to protect hundreds of highly skilled roles.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes called the closure “difficult news” for employees and said the Scottish Government was doing “all it can” to help.
She added: “I have written to worker representatives to assure them of our support and to ExxonMobil to ask that the workforce is prioritised.
“We have committed £9m over three years to mitigate the impacts of the plant’s closure, with our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment providing skills and employability support to workers.
“This funding will also support the site’s long-term future, with Scottish Enterprise identifying new investment opportunities.”
A spokesperson for ExxonMobil said: “After more than 40 years of operations, Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) permanently shut down production on 2 February.
“In the months ahead the plant will be fully decommissioned and made safe for dismantling. We anticipate this process to be completed by early 2028.”
A UK Government spokesperson said it remained determined to secure a successful future for the site and its workforce.
They added: “We explored every reasonable avenue to support Mossmorran and to suggest otherwise is disingenuous, and continue to engage with the company and wider sector to ensure we are doing everything we can to support the workers and find a viable future for the site.
“We know this is a difficult time for workers at Mossmorran and their families, which is why last week’s taskforce meeting saw us commit to ensuring all workers get a job interview at the Grangemouth cracker.”
According to Unite, around 400 jobs are linked to the ethylene plant, which produces materials critical to many everyday products, including plastics, medical equipment and car parts. The closure affects not only manufacturing roles but also those in construction, repair and maintenance.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is another nail in the coffin of the oil and gas industry, with jobs haemorrhaging on this government’s watch.
“ExxonMobil’s decision to close Mossmorran ahead of schedule is a disgrace and a betrayal of its workers.
“This is an enormously profitable multi-billion pound company and this unnecessary decision will have a devastating impact on the local community in Fife.”
