UK based LyondellBasell to close
By the close of 2009, LyondellBasell Industries will have closed its Carrington LDPE plant with the loss of approximately 50 jobs.
The capacity will be switched to LyondellBasell's factories in Wesseling, Germany and Berre, France with the closure being attributed to poor market conditions adding that the Carrington plant was "no longer economically viable".
Tassilo Bader, LyondellBasell's Senior Vice President said that "Market conditions require economies of scale and low conversion costs."With more than 300 kilotonnes of capacity, our Berre plant represents a dramatic step change in the production of LDPE, with superior investment and operational economics."
The Carrington site's capacity was one of the group smallest LDPE manufacturing sites at around 185 kilotonnes per year.
A consultation period with staff has begun as are talks with trade union and employee representatives.
Not affected is the 210 kilotonnes per year polypropylene plant at the Carrington.
LyondellBasell filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its US operations and Basell Germany Holdings in January.
