Syngenta proposes ending Grangemouth operations, putting 377 workers at risk

• Syngenta has proposed ceasing operations at its Grangemouth site; it says 377 employees could be affected if the plan goes ahead.¹
• Formal consultation with employees and union representatives has begun, but Syngenta says it has made no final decision.¹
• Unite says it is exploring ways to reverse the closure threat; Scottish Enterprise says it had been discussing support for the site’s future.²
• In May 2025, Scottish Enterprise announced a £2.2 million grant towards a planned £14.7 million expansion at the site.³

The proposal turns on Syngenta’s assessment that Grangemouth is too costly to compete with its other production sites. The company says a review found the site significantly more expensive to operate, and that potential savings and changes to its formulation work would not close the gap. Those are Syngenta’s stated reasons; the company has not published figures that independently establish its cost comparison.¹

Unite national officer Tony Devlin told STV the union was engaging with the company and both governments, and examining ways to reverse the threat. The union is also offering members advice and support, he said. Scottish Enterprise told STV that it and its partners had been working with Syngenta to avoid job losses and exploring a support package. Neither account sets out an agreed alternative plan or guarantees that the site will stay open.²

The 377 figure comes from Syngenta: its announcement says that many employees could be affected if the proposal is implemented. It does not break down the roles or say how many people would ultimately lose their jobs. The company has promised support during the process, but has not detailed redeployment or redundancy arrangements. It has not published a consultation end date.¹

The earlier public investment sharpens the change in direction. Scottish Enterprise’s May 2025 announcement said its £2.2 million grant would support a £14.7 million expansion expected to create 38 jobs and safeguard 14 existing roles, including a planned facility for Syngenta’s Seedcare products. That announcement describes the project’s aims; it does not establish how much was completed or what the grant’s terms mean for the current proposal.³

The Scottish Government says its PACE redundancy-response initiative is ready to help workers who may be affected. The UK government has said it will work with the National Wealth Fund to explore options for the area and workforce. Those statements offer possible support, not a specific job guarantee for Syngenta employees.²

Footnotes

1. Syngenta, “Syngenta proposes changes to operations at Grangemouth, Scotland and begins consultation”. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. STV News, “Nearly 400 jobs to be lost at Grangemouth chemical producer plant”; BBC Scotland, “Hundreds of jobs under threat at Grangemouth chemical plant”. ↩ ↩² ↩³

3. Scottish Enterprise, “Grangemouth specialty chemicals producer to expand following £2.2m grant support”. ↩ ↩²