(In UK) 70 Years of History Ends: Grangemouth Refinery Closes

 

The Grangemouth oil refinery, Scotland's sole refinery, has ceased processing crude oil, marking the end of an era after over 70 years of operation.

The joint venture Petroineos, between Ineos and PetroChina, made the decision to convert the site into an import terminal due to significant financial losses and fierce competition from larger refineries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The closure has led to major job losses, reducing the workforce from 475 to 75 employees. 

The Unite union criticized the lack of protections for skilled workers, even though a £200 million fund was set aside to explore a low-carbon future for Grangemouth. 

This shift reflects broader changes in Europe’s refining sector, with other refineries also scaling down operations.

See also:Gulf of Mexico Keeps Its Name After Alabama Senate Rejects Renaming Bill