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Efforts have been made to sell the Mossmoran plant, which is due to close early next year, but a “viable offer” has not been received, owners have said.
Fife ethylene plant to close in February, putting more than 400 jobs including owners in the area at risk ExxonMobil Claiming partly that it is not economically viable, UK government Policy.
appear before scottish affairs committee westminster On Wednesday, ExxonMobil UK chairman Paul Greenwood said there had been “both formal and informal” discussions about a possible sale of the site.
“We couldn’t find anyone who could give us a viable offer to take it over,” he told MPs.
“Obviously, we would obviously sell the plant if we could, it’s clearly a better option for everyone involved – including us – than closing the plant.
“We worked very hard.”
In discussions the company had with potential buyers, none saw the possibility of continuing operations as an ethylene plant – which makes a key ingredient in plastics, Mr Greenwood said.
“No one considers it economically viable,” he said.
“So, we will close this plant and we will do that in February.
“You then have a period to effectively demolish the site and return the land back to a sort of greenfield basis during that period, which could be around two years.
“If there’s anyone who wants to come and talk to us … about potential uses for that site, about potential ways they can take ownership of it and do something, we’re open to all of that.”
He said: “Clearly, we – along with everyone else – want to see this site continue, want to see it valued, want to see it provide economic value to the community.”
Around 180 ExxonMobil employees will face redundancy as a result of the decision, with 250 contractors also at risk.
Of the firm’s own staff, around 110 people will face redundancy next spring and the remainder will continue their employment in anticipation of the demolition of the current site.
Mr Greenwood appeared when Unite trade union industrial officer Bob McGregor questioned the company’s argument that it was not economically viable.
Mr McGregor pointed to a £120 million UK government investment announced on Wednesday for an ethylene plant in Grangemouth as proof of feasibility.
He insisted on closing the plant to find a buyer.
The union official also criticized both governments, claiming they did not provide adequate support to workers at the site.
The Scottish Government has attempted to organize the program as part of its Partnership Action for Sustained Employment (PACE) scheme, which aims to help people facing redundancy, he said.
“Besides, I don’t see any offer of support from any government,” he said.
“I can see a lot of kind words and sound messages, but I don’t see any real, concrete evidence of any practical support, financial assistance.”
He said governments should take steps to retrain workers in the hope of finding work elsewhere.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Wednesday, the Scottish Secretary douglas alexander Said that the closure of the plant is a big regret for me.
He added: “I sat down with the Mossmoren leadership with an open heart and an open mind to see if there was a way forward.
“Despite repeated approaches to the British government, they could not come forward with a proposal.”
Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Our priority is to secure a sustainable future for the Mossmoran site and plant workers.
“After being informed about ExxonMobil’s decision to market its plant on November 11, we activated our PACE initiative to provide skill development and employment related support to workers.
“Since learning of the announcement, my officials and Scottish Enterprise have been working to secure new opportunities for the Fife Ethylene Plant and its workforce.
“However, the UK government holds the leverage for industrial intervention as we have seen in England and Wales and the ability to address higher energy costs.”