Local MP “disappointed” by Zeon closure in Wales

London – Welsh MP Jane Hutt has expressed her disappointment over the planned closure of Zeon Chemical’s synthetic rubber plant in Sully, Wales, in a meeting with plant officials.

In a press release on 7 Sept, the MP said she met with the plant operations director James Hooper in July to raise her concerns about the company’s future.

“This is very disappointing news indeed.  Having raised this with the [Welsh] economy minister Edwina Hart back in July, my priority now is ensuring support and advice for the employees,” she added.

The site employs over 80 people, mostly locals from Barry, Wales.

Speaking to ERJ in July, commercial director at Zeon Europe GmbH, Hubert Thimm, said that that the company envisaged completing the plant closure by the end of 2015 – subject to negotiations with employees and other stakeholders.

The Welsh plant is the Japanese group’s only European manufacturing site. Built in the 1950s, it was bought by Zeon from BP Chemicals in 1989.