One of the biggest employers in the Vale of Glamorgan chemical giant Dow, has confirmed plans to shed almost 300 jobs. Trade union Unite said it has been informed by the US-owned firm of its plans to close down the basics area of the plant.
Basic chemicals are used internally by Dow as raw materials and are also sold worldwide in areas such as the food industry, paints and coatings and dry cleaning products.
Dow is one of the largest chemical producers in the world. However, Unite said that cheap competition from China is behind the closure plans.
In publishing its results for the first quarter 2025, Dow, with global sales down 3% year-on-year, Dow confirms shut down plans for its basic siloxanes plant in Barry which it described being “high cost and energy intensive.”
Unite said that consultation on redundancies is now under way, but with no job losses expected until the middle of next year. The union is pressing for no compulsory redundancies.
Dow has around 850 employees at its Barry site, which means a third of the workforce are facing redundancy.
A Dow spokesperson 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.
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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.”
The company has operated from the Barry site since 1971 when it bought the site from Midland Silicones. The plant covers 160-acres.