Global energy titan ExxonMobil has confirmed plans to permanently shut down its Mossmorran plastics plant in Fife, placing hundreds of jobs in immediate jeopardy and dealing a severe blow to Scotland's industrial landscape.
A Major Blow to Scottish Industry
The Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP), a cornerstone of UK chemical production for four decades, is scheduled to cease operations in February next year. The closure is subject to a full employee consultation, but the outcome is expected to result in significant job losses for the region.
A total of 179 directly employed positions are now at risk, alongside 250 contractor roles that depend on the site's operation. In a potential lifeline for a small number of staff, ExxonMobil has indicated the possibility of 50 employees transferring to the Fawley Petrochemical Complex in Hampshire, nearly 500 miles away.
Economic and Policy Pressures Cited
In an official statement, the company explained its difficult decision, pointing to a combination of adverse market and regulatory conditions. "We considered various options to continue production and tested the market for a potential buyer," the firm stated, "but the UK's current economic and policy environment combined with market conditions, high supply costs and plant efficiency do not create a competitive future for the site."
The announcement, made on Tuesday 18 November 2025, underscores the growing challenges facing the UK's domestic manufacturing base. ExxonMobil directly linked the closure to a policy landscape it claims is "accelerating the exit of vital industries, domestic manufacturing, and the high-value jobs they provide."
Political Reaction and Workforce Support
The news has prompted a swift response from politicians at both Holyrood and Westminster. Scotland's Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, said she was "extremely disappointed by the sudden news" and described it as a "significant blow" to the national economy.
Forbes emphasised that the majority of powers to address such industrial issues reside with the UK government, urging ministers to take urgent action on the high cost of energy, which she said is "slowly crippling industry." The Scottish government will establish a taskforce to support affected workers.
The UK government confirmed it "stands ready" to assist through the Department for Work and Pensions' rapid response service and the Scottish government's PACE initiative. A spokesperson stated that "extensive" engagement had taken place with the company, but ultimately, the closure was "a commercial decision for the company to take."
This closure follows the recent shuttering of the Grangemouth oil refinery and another ExxonMobil chemical plant in France, raising serious concerns about the UK's industrial strategy. Robert Deavy, a senior organiser for the GMB union, lambasted politicians, demanding a "planned and measured transition" instead of "economic carnage unfolding day by day."
ExxonMobil has pledged that its immediate priorities are to support its workforce and ensure continued safe operations until production ends in February.
