ExxonMobil closes UK plant, citing 'policy' obstacles

London, UK: US oil giant ExxonMobil said Tuesday it was closing an ethylene gas plant in Scotland, possibly affecting more than 400 jobs, due to what...

London, UK: US oil giant ExxonMobil said Tuesday it was closing an ethylene gas plant in Scotland, possibly affecting more than 400 jobs, due to what it said were difficult economic and policy conditions in Britain.

The Fife Ethylene Plant north of Edinburgh will close in February 2026, the company said in a statement, describing it as "a cornerstone of chemical production in the UK for 40 years".

The closure "reflects the challenges of operating in a policy environment that is accelerating the exit of vital industries, domestic manufacturing, and the high-value jobs they provide", it added.

"We assessed various options to continue production and tested the market for a potential buyer, 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."

ExxonMobil said around 179 employees were directly affected, plus about 250 contractors -- but 50 employees could be transferred to another site in Fawley in southern England.