Hundreds of jobs under threat at Grangemouth chemical plant
Syngenta said its Grangemouth operation was no longer 'competitive' due to increasing competition from overseas.
Hundreds of jobs are at risk at the Grangemouth chemical plant after Syngenta announced plans to shut down operations at the site.
The agricultural chemicals company said its Grangemouth facility was "no longer competitive" because of "increasing international competition", and that it had been unable to make the business at the plant "competitive".
A company spokesperson, speaking about the firm, which makes chemicals used to protect crops, said it would now begin a consultation period over the proposal, while stressing that no final decision has yet been made.
Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn called the plans "extremely disappointing".
In total, 377 workers are expected to be affected.
The announcement comes more than a year after Syngenta received £2.2m from Scottish Enterprise to increase production at the site.
Syngenta said it was "committed to genuine consultation" with trade unions about "alternative paths" for the site.
The company said it had carried out a "detailed review" of its Grangemouth operation before making the announcement.
It said the Grangemouth site was "significantly more expensive" to run than other production facilities.
Syngenta added that it had found savings in some parts of the business, but these were not enough to "bridge the site's competitiveness gap".
Mike Hollands, president of Syngenta UK, said: "The workforce at Grangemouth is highly skilled and passionate, but despite all efforts, we have not been able to make the Grangemouth site competitive compared to alternative supply options.
"It is with a very heavy heart that we make this proposal, but we are committed to a constructive consultation and will continue to consider options as part of that process."
The move is the latest blow to jobs in the area after the nearby oil refinery closed in April last year, leading to the loss of about 400 jobs.
In March, bus maker Alexander Dennis also announced plans to close its Falkirk plant, with 115 jobs lost.
The UK government, under then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, had previously promised an extra £200m in funding for Grangemouth from the National Wealth Fund.
Flynn said the Scottish government had "strongly opposed" Syngenta's plans.
He said he would keep pressing the UK government over the £200m funding pot.
"My thoughts are with the workers, their families and the local community who will be affected by this decision," he said.
"We made clear to Syngenta's board our strong opposition to any potential scale down or closure of their Grangemouth site."
Flynn added: "During this period of consultation, I sincerely hope that the UK government will now provide some of the £200m committed to Grangemouth, since not a single penny has yet been allocated from that fund promised in 2024."
Scottish Green Party co-leader Gillian Mackay said the move was another "devastating blow" for the area.
"Our governments should be doing more to protect jobs and ensure that workers can benefit from our transition to a greener future," she said.
"Grangemouth is my home, and I am concerned about what this will mean for the local community if it goes ahead."