Plans to axe nearly 200 jobs from Grangemouth oil refinery

Around 180 jobs could be cut from Grangemouth oil refinery under new plans for the site.

Owner Petroineos made the announcement on Tuesday, claiming the changes will help “protect 450 skilled roles” from its current refinery workforce of 637.

The energy trading and refining company said the proposals reflect a global decline in demand for fuels and will align its capacity to meet local demand in Scotland, the north of England and Northern Ireland.

Under the plans a crude distillation unit and fluidised catalytic cracker unit, which have been closed throughout the coronavirus pandemic, will both be mothballed.

A consultation with employees, starting next Monday, will propose a smaller operation retaining 450 high quality jobs.

Franck Demay CEO Petroineos Refining said, “As a national critical
infrastructure it is vital we retain a productive capacity of fuels in Scotland.

“We firmly believe that only by taking action now will we preserve one of
Scotland’s last large manufacturing sites and a significant contributor to the
Scottish economy.”

A statement released by Petroineos said: “The global refining industry is facing huge challenges due to the increasing electrification of the transport fleet and more fuel-efficient vehicles leading to a reduced demand.

“With these changes, Petroineos believes it can have a viable longer-term business, employing up to 450 highly skilled jobs.”

The company will now enter into a statutory consultation period with its workforce and their representatives to discuss its proposals.