Grangemouth Future Industry Board Leadership Forum minutes: September 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Scottish Government
• UK Government
• Scottish Enterprise
• Forth Valley College
• Falkirk Council
• CVS Falkirk
• NECCUS
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Petroineos
• Ineos O&P
• Ineos FPS
• Forth Ports
• Calachem
• Syngenta
• Celtic Renewables
• Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions
• Unite the Union
• GMB
• STUC
• Forth Green Freeport

Items and actions

The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin MSP, opened the meeting and welcomed new attendees to the Forum. Ms Martin introduced herself as co-chair alongside Rt Hon. Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Net Zero and Energy, and also welcomed Rt Hon. Ian Murray MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Shanks MP, Energy Minister, and Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, Minister for Climate Action.

The co-chairs expressed their disappointment with the decision of Petroineos to close Grangemouth refinery. Both co-chairs outlined the support being put in place to support the workers and the wider Grangemouth community, and expressed hope for the future of the refinery site.

The co-chairs invited Petroineos to update attendees on the situation at the refinery. The company set out the commercial drivers behind the decision, and plans to convert to an import terminal.

The co-chairs thanked members for their attendance and asked them to consider what opportunities they may be able to provide for refinery workers ahead of the next GFIB meeting, scheduled for the near future.