BASF Paisley plant closure talks planned

THE Scottish Government is to hold urgent talks with chemical firm BASF on the future of the company’s closure-hit site in Renfrewshire.

Finance Secretary John Swinney has pledged to help those affected by the closure plans. Picture: TSPL

• The latest on plans to close petrochemical plant at Grangemouth

BASF is planning to shut its plant in Paisley with the loss of 141 jobs.

The Hawkhead Road factory has produced pigments to colour inks, paints, paper and plastics for almost 60 years.

It is due to shut by the middle of 2015 because of a rapidly changing market and unsustainable manufacturing costs, according to BASF.

Finance Secretary John Swinney pledged government support for BASF staff and their families.

“The Scottish Government and our agencies will meet with the company as a matter of urgency to discuss options for the site,” he said.

“In the meantime we have offered support to BASF through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE).”

The Paisley plant produces around 18,000 tonnes of pigment annually, of which around 80% is exported.