Unite Scotland today (7 September) pledged to fight 'every step of the way’ to the news that CalaChem Ltd proposes to make 95 workers redundant along with the end of manufacturing on site.

CalaChem which is based at the former ICI site in Grangemouth employs 156 workers. The company proposes to close the manufacturing services unit on site, which provides agrochemical actives used in the protection of crops, and specialty chemicals used in various industries. In 2010, the Munich based investment company Aurelius AG acquired KemFine UK Ltd, and established CalaChem Ltd.

CalaChem Ltd returned to profitability over the last two years running a profit after tax of £390,000 year ending December 2020, and £391,000 year ending December 2019. Manufacturing sales and profitability have shown an upward trend during this period pointing towards a viable future for the manufacturing services unit.

Scott Foley, Unite industrial officer, said: “We believe that there is a viable manufacturing future within the CalaChem business at Grangemouth. The company has also returned to profitability over the last few years and it is showing a healthy balance sheet. It’s vital that CalaChem engage with us, the Scottish Government and Falkirk Council to retain as many jobs as possible. Closure of the manufacturing unit is simply unacceptable and we will fight these proposals every step of the way to ensure CalaChem explores every viable alternative option in order to retain a manufacturing capacity.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

CalaChem Limited accounts - Companies House

 

31/12/20

31/12/19

31/12/18

Turnover

£45.4 million

£52.9 million

£47.8 million

Profit after tax

£390k

£391k

(£5.9 million)
  • Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Pat Rafferty.