19.12.2013 • NewsDede WillamsDowDow Chemical

Dow Reveals Plans to Close Grangemouth Additives Plant

Just as workers at Grangemouth thought the worst was over, the mammoth petrochemical complex on Scotland's river Forth has been dealt another low blow. Days before Christmas, Dow Chemical announced plans to close its plant for the plastics additive methyl methacrylate butadiene styrene (MBS), with the loss of some 66 jobs.

At the end of October, employees of the Ineos Grangemouth complex were outmanoeuvred by chairman Jim Ratcliffe and forced to make concessions on pay and working conditions. Subsequently, in the interest of preserving jobs, the UK and Scottish governments pledged financial aid to the former British company for a €300 million terminal to import shale gas-derived ethane to the site whose refinery supplies much of Scotland.

Dow said consultations with the Grangemouth employees will begin in January. It has not disclosed a timetable for the shutdown, however. In announcing the plans, the US group cited "ongoing economic uncertainty, which has resulted in a significant deterioration of demand." It added that the decision to close was made "after a "comprehensive review" of its plastics additives business strategy."

Earlier in 2013, Dow said it would divest the plastics additives business, but in September withdrew the plans after failing to find a buyer willing to pay the asking price. The Grangemouth facility was one of seven worldwide production facilities the group had put up for sale.

Free Virtual Event

ProteiNext 2025

ProteiNext 2025

ProteiNext is an annual symposium that offers a platform for sharing insights on protein analysis

CHEManager Spotlight

Standardization and Harmonization of Digital Chemical and Pharmaceutical Logistics
Creating Interfaces

Standardization and Harmonization of Digital Chemical and Pharmaceutical Logistics

CHEManager Spotlight is an exclusive event tailored for practitioners and decision-makers in the chemical industry. This part of our event series delves into the latest trends and innovations in logistics to streamline your operations and drive efficiency.