Canadian-based aluminium packaging provider, Alcan, has confirmed that it has concluded the consultation process with employees and union representatives over the closure of its Burntisland facility in the UK.
The company said that an agreement had been reached to cease operations at the the facility on 30 November 2002.
In January 2002, Alcan announced its withdrawal from the speciality chemicals market in Europe. A significant effort to sell the business followed. The company tried unsuccessfully to sell on the Burntisland facility , but no buyer could be found. As a result, Alcan announced its proposal to close the plant on 5 September 2002, and began the consultation process on 11 September 2002.
Based on the current estimate for total closure costs, Alcan expects to record a non-operating charge (after-tax) of approximately $0.10 per share during the fourth quarter of 2002.
Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminium and speciality packaging with 2001 revenues of US$12.6 billion. With world-class operations in primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium as well as flexible and speciality packaging, Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 48,000 people and has operating facilities in 38 countries.