logo
Almost 300 jobs at risk at chemicals factory in Barry

Almost 300 jobs at risk at chemicals factory in Barry

ITV News29-04-2025

Hundreds of jobs are at risk at a chemical giant's Welsh factory.
US company Dow has confirmed to the union Unite that it is closing down an area of its plant in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.
Unite say that almost 300 jobs are at risk due to this closure.
The company, which produces a wide range of silicon products, has operated from the Barry site since 1971 when it bought the site from Midland Silicones, and now employs 850 people on a 160-acre site.
A statement from Dow confirmed that the shutdown of basic siloxanes operations at Barry has been identified as a "potential outcome". It added that this would affect 291 employees at the Barry site over the next three to four years.
Unite are calling on Dow to "reconsider its decision" and protect as many jobs as possible.
The announcement comes as Dow assess its European assets in a bid to make savings.
A consultation on redundancies is now underway but no job losses are expected until 2026.
Dow, which has more than 200 manufacturing sites across the world, was among the three largest chemical producers in the world in 2021. However, it says cheap competition from abroad is behind the closure, as its basics product are no longer competitive on the open market.
The announcement comes after Dow confirmed potential job cuts on January 31.
A spokesperson for Dow said: "As part of Dow's assessment of its European assets, the company has identified the basics siloxanes operations at Barry, U.K. among other upstream portions of Dow's portfolio that will require further action. The potential outcome identified at this time for Dow's basics siloxanes operations at Barry is a shutdown.
"The potential outcome to close basics siloxanes operations in Barry would be likely to affect 291 employees at the Barry Site, over the next 3-4 years. Siloxanes production is one of several manufacturing facilities and operations at our Barry site, which in total employs approximately 850 employees and contractors.
"This potential shutdown would help strengthen the Company's competitive position in the specialty silicones market in Europe and the U.K. The production of specialty silicones in Barry will continue, supporting key markets such as automotive, electronics, energy, construction, and personal care."
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is outrageous that valued workers are being punished for a situation not of their control. The potential loss of so many well-paid jobs in the area will be devastating, not just to our members and their families, but to the local economy as well."
Unite regional officer Richard Jackson said: "Unite is calling on Dow to reconsider its decision and work with us, government and other stake holders to find an alternative solution to this closure. Unite is also calling on Dow to work with the union in order to avoid compulsory redundancies and to seek to protect as many jobs as possible. The union will ensure it is involved all the way throughout this process."
Operations at the Barry site first started in 1941, then under the ownership of the Ocean Salts company. Ownership of the site has changed a number of times over the years, with the site becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, now Dow Inc, in 2016.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review
Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review

North Wales Chronicle

timean hour ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review

Rachel Reeves is expected to announce the additional funding as part of her spending review, aiming to address what the Treasury sees as years of underinvestment in Welsh infrastructure. Understood to be a combination of direct funding and additional money for the Welsh government, the investment is expected to be spent on projects such as fixing level crossings, building new stations and upgrading railway lines. A Treasury source said: 'With this Government, Wales will thrive, and the Chancellor has prioritised bringing forward a package that has the potential to be truly transformative.' On Tuesday, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan told members of the Senedd that her government was 'expecting something positive from the spending review'. She said: 'I've been clear and I've been consistent when it comes to rail funding that we have not been getting our fair share of funding, in a position that the Tories left us with for over a decade. 'The difference between the Tories and the UK Labour Government is that they've recognised that injustice.' Baroness Morgan's comments came in response to criticism from Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth of a decision to classify the £6.6 billion Oxford-to-Cambridge line as an England and Wales project. The designation means Wales will not receive the additional rail funding it would get if branded an England-only project. Mr ap Iorwerth said Wales had been 'getting our share until Labour actively moved the goalposts'. The expected announcement of additional funding for Welsh railways is one of several transport-related investments set to be confirmed on Wednesday. Ms Reeves has already announced plans to spend a total of £15.6 billion on public transport projects in England's city regions, and is understood to be preparing to extend the £3 cap on bus fares in England until March 2027.

Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review
Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review

South Wales Argus

timean hour ago

  • South Wales Argus

Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review

Rachel Reeves is expected to announce the additional funding as part of her spending review, aiming to address what the Treasury sees as years of underinvestment in Welsh infrastructure. Understood to be a combination of direct funding and additional money for the Welsh government, the investment is expected to be spent on projects such as fixing level crossings, building new stations and upgrading railway lines. A Treasury source said: 'With this Government, Wales will thrive, and the Chancellor has prioritised bringing forward a package that has the potential to be truly transformative.' Baroness Eluned Morgan said she was expecting positive news from the spending review (Ben Birchall/PA) On Tuesday, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan told members of the Senedd that her government was 'expecting something positive from the spending review'. She said: 'I've been clear and I've been consistent when it comes to rail funding that we have not been getting our fair share of funding, in a position that the Tories left us with for over a decade. 'The difference between the Tories and the UK Labour Government is that they've recognised that injustice.' Baroness Morgan's comments came in response to criticism from Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth of a decision to classify the £6.6 billion Oxford-to-Cambridge line as an England and Wales project. The designation means Wales will not receive the additional rail funding it would get if branded an England-only project. Mr ap Iorwerth said Wales had been 'getting our share until Labour actively moved the goalposts'. The expected announcement of additional funding for Welsh railways is one of several transport-related investments set to be confirmed on Wednesday. Ms Reeves has already announced plans to spend a total of £15.6 billion on public transport projects in England's city regions, and is understood to be preparing to extend the £3 cap on bus fares in England until March 2027.

Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review
Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review

Leader Live

timean hour ago

  • Leader Live

Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review

Rachel Reeves is expected to announce the additional funding as part of her spending review, aiming to address what the Treasury sees as years of underinvestment in Welsh infrastructure. Understood to be a combination of direct funding and additional money for the Welsh government, the investment is expected to be spent on projects such as fixing level crossings, building new stations and upgrading railway lines. A Treasury source said: 'With this Government, Wales will thrive, and the Chancellor has prioritised bringing forward a package that has the potential to be truly transformative.' On Tuesday, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan told members of the Senedd that her government was 'expecting something positive from the spending review'. She said: 'I've been clear and I've been consistent when it comes to rail funding that we have not been getting our fair share of funding, in a position that the Tories left us with for over a decade. 'The difference between the Tories and the UK Labour Government is that they've recognised that injustice.' Baroness Morgan's comments came in response to criticism from Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth of a decision to classify the £6.6 billion Oxford-to-Cambridge line as an England and Wales project. The designation means Wales will not receive the additional rail funding it would get if branded an England-only project. Mr ap Iorwerth said Wales had been 'getting our share until Labour actively moved the goalposts'. The expected announcement of additional funding for Welsh railways is one of several transport-related investments set to be confirmed on Wednesday. Ms Reeves has already announced plans to spend a total of £15.6 billion on public transport projects in England's city regions, and is understood to be preparing to extend the £3 cap on bus fares in England until March 2027.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store