December 19, 2025 12:01

At a time when closures and divestments are being announced across Europe’s petrochemical sector, UK-based Ineos stands out as one of the few groups continuing to invest in its assets while also openly criticizing European and British industrial policies.

Alongside capacity rationalization measures already under way, Ineos is progressing with the construction of a new cracker in Antwerp, Project One, and in recent days has also announced investments to upgrade its Lavera site in France.

The group has now unveiled a major modernization project at another key petrochemical hub in its portfolio: the Grangemouth site in Scotland. The program involves investments of £150 million, supported by the UK government through a £75 million loan guarantee and a £50 million direct grant.

The aim of the project, which will affect the site’s main production units, is to maintain Grangemouth’s competitiveness, optimize processes and improve energy efficiency, with the objective of preserving national production capacity and around 500 direct jobs, in addition to those in the wider supply chain.

“This £150m investment in the future of a major UK industrial site demonstrates Ineos’ commitment to British manufacturing,” said Sir Jim Ratcliffe (pictured), founder and owner of the group. “The support of the UK Government is welcome. However, we need to continue to work together to deliver competitive and efficient low-carbon manufacturing for the UK, long term. The answer is not decarbonization by deindustrialization. If politicians want jobs, investment and energy security, then they must create a competitive environment.”

Acquired by Ineos in 2005, the Grangemouth petrochemical complex is one of the group’s key Olefins & Polymers sites. It has a production capacity of around 1.4 million tonnes per year of petrochemical products, including ethylene, propylene, polyethylene and polypropylene.

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