Commenting on the proposed closure of the Fife Ethelyne Plant at Exxon Mobil’s Mosmorran facility, with the loss of around 200 jobs and supply chains, Dr Marie Macklin CBE said: 

“The closure of Mosmorran heralds another devastating blow to Scotland’s industrial infrastructure, and should not simply be allowed to happen without firm action being taken to save jobs and productive capacity at the site. 

Coming so soon after moves to wind down production at Grangemouth, this latest news shows there is a deep crisis in what remains of Scotland’s industrial base. 

The fact that the UK Government has – just as they have done with Grangemouth – effectively washed their hands of the issue by refusing to intervene to save jobs, in the same way as they have done for industrial facilities facing similar difficulties in other parts of the UK, is simply unforgiveable. 

As I made clear when I appeared on BBC Scotland’s Debate Night last week, we urgently need to protect our existing industrial facilities to help grow the economy. That means both the UK and Scottish Government doing everything they can to jointly help deliver the best economic conditions possible to bring growth, jobs and prosperity. Bluntly, there is no time for political squabbling. 

We need a new industrial strategy from the Scottish Government, allied to a wider UK strategy, both of which should seek to address the roots of the crisis afflicting our industries. 

And while there is an absolute imperative to maximise job creation from the emerging clean anergy and green economy sector, that must not mean abandoning jobs in existing sectors such as oil and gas. 

The proposed closure and job losses at Mosmorran are another clear signal – if one were even needed – of the hugely damaging impact  of the regulations and costs placed on traditional heavy industry. 

As a child growing up in the former industrial coalfield and manufacturing Ayrshire community we cannot sit by and let history be repeated – It is clearly time to think again.”

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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”. By Exxon Mobil – quote from media,  Wednesday 18th November 2025