The proposal would affect 377 workers and comes about a year after more than 400 people lost their jobs when the Grangemouth oil refinery, Scotland\u2019s last, closed. According to the Press Association report carried by The Independent, Syngenta received more than \u00a32 million in Scottish Enterprise funding just over a year ago to expand its Scottish site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Syngenta said operating costs at Grangemouth remain significantly higher than at its other production facilities, despite attempts to narrow the difference. The company said it had carried out a detailed review<\/strong> of the site while facing increasing international competition and what it described as challenging energy conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Syngenta, the savings identified during that review would still not be enough to close the competitiveness gap between Grangemouth and alternative production locations. The company said it is committed to what it called a genuine consultation<\/strong> with trade unions and employee representatives, during which other options for the site could still be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike Hollands, global head of production and supply at Syngenta Crop Protection<\/strong> <\/a>and president of Syngenta UK, said the Grangemouth workforce was highly skilled and passionate. He said that, despite the company\u2019s efforts, it had not been possible to make the site competitive with alternative supply options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is with a very heavy heart that we make this proposal<\/em>,\u201d Hollands said, adding that Syngenta intended to conduct a constructive consultation and continue considering possible alternatives during the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The announcement follows a period of significant job losses around Grangemouth. The proposed closure<\/a>, combined with the refinery shutdown in 2025, could bring the number of jobs lost from the two sites to nearly 1,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n