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The chemical plant at Mossmorran in Fife is facing an imminent closure, prompting both the Scottish and UK governments to take steps—albeit somewhat uncoordinated ones—to address the situation. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has arranged a meeting with ExxonMobil, the plant’s owner, at the site on Tuesday. Her aim is to establish a taskforce in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise to explore ways to sustain employment and support workers directly affected by the closure. Meanwhile, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has urged Forbes to participate in a council-led group organized by Fife Council, which is meeting with local business leaders on Monday.
The plant’s planned shutdown in February threatens 179 permanent jobs, along with positions held by approximately 250 contractors. Forbes was the first to announce her summit, stating that alongside Scottish Enterprise, she would be meeting with various stakeholders including unions, the local council, and representatives from the UK government. She emphasized the need to “explore ways to retain employment at the site and support the workforce through this period of uncertainty,” highlighting the importance of a collective approach to finding solutions during this challenging time.
In response, Douglas Alexander sent Forbes a letter insisting that she should join the Fife Council-led taskforce to ensure a unified effort, referring to it as a “Team Scotland” approach. He expressed his understanding of the difficult circumstances facing the workers and reiterated the necessity for a response focused on local needs and clear governance. Alexander mentioned, “I look forward to meeting Fife Council tomorrow to discuss how working together we can all best support the workers, mitigate the impact of the closure on the wider Fife economy, and look at alternative uses for the site.”
The announcement of the plant’s closure came as a shock to many staff and contractors, revealed during a recent meeting where discussions covered financial support, retraining opportunities, and possible relocation options. It is anticipated that around 50 employees might transfer to the Fawley Petrochemical Complex in Hampshire, nearly 480 miles away. The Mossmorran facility, which has produced ethylene through thermal cracking for about four decades, has been actively searching for a buyer over recent months. ExxonMobil confirmed it would proceed with decontamination and demolition of the site once operations cease. While the governments appear to be pursuing separate routes to address the closure, experts stress the significance of coordinated action, particularly given the plant’s importance to the local economy and the broader challenge of supporting workers through industrial transitions
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