The Grangemouth industrial complex in Scotland has been in the headlines throughout 2025 as its refinery closed and over 400 workers lost their jobs. While some have blamed net zero, the site’s owner was clear: aging infrastructure and uncompetitive operations were the cause.

This briefing examines what went wrong and what must happen next. The transition planning came far too late, but Grangemouth’s skilled workforce, existing infrastructure and access to low-carbon power position it well to become a hub for clean industries.

We outline four ‘no regrets’ actions that can create jobs rapidly: anaerobic digestion using local biomass, expanded green hydrogen production, carbon capture demonstration projects and local renewable power generation. We also identify critical policy gaps that must be addressed to secure the site’s long-term future.

For more information, contact
Roz Bulleid, research and policy director