Berry BPI announces closure of Greenock plant

The company said that a decreased demand from customers in the construction, industrial packaging and healthcare sectors had led to the closure.

“It is widely reported in the press that activity in these markets is reduced and this has affected activity levels at the BPI site,” said a spokesperson. “As a result, BPI has regrettably had to announce a number of possible redundancies, with up to 65 roles potentially affected.”

They added that the company would work to find alternative employment for these staff.

The news comes just days after the firm was reported as having cut 20 jobs and redeployed others at its Stevenston factory in Ayrshire, with the company also said to have cited reduced demand.

The financial and administrative services that also operate at the Greenock site will be unaffected by these changes, said the company.

Inverclyde Council member Stephen McCabe described the news as “extremely disappointing” and has asked the company to reconsider: “I would urge the company to rethink its decision to close the manufacturing unit and see the value in having such a skilled and dedicated workforce.”

He said that the council would be engaging with Berry to try to avoid the closure and save jobs, as well as reaching out to the Scottish Government to see what support could be offered.

Berry BPI is a trading name of British Polythene Limited. Berry Global owns the Berry Circular Polymers recycling plant, formerly known as Plasgran, based in Wimblington, Cambridgeshire.