UP TO 300 JOBS TO GO AT PLANT
HUNDREDS of jobs are to be lost at a wet-wipe factory in Wales as its owners announce the closure of the site. More than 200 people will lose their jobs at Kimberly-Clark manufacturers in Flint as owners say they cannot meet an upcoming UK plastics ban.
The UK Government, along with the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland, have decided to prohibit the sale of baby wipes containing plastic from mid-2026.
In June the company said its North Wales site would not be able to be reconfigured in time for this deadline and entered into consultation about potentially closing the site.
Now the company has said this will go ahead and the factory will close next year.
Between 200 and 300 jobs are expected to be affected by the closure in a decision Unite union has described as “devastating”.
A Kimberly-Clark spokesperson said: “We have now concluded our consultation on the proposed closure of our manufacturing operations at Flint, North Wales. Regrettably, both plants at the site will close in 2025.
“The consultation was initiated following the government’s decision to ban all baby wipes containing plastic in the UK from mid2026.
“While phasing out plastics from our baby wipes is a key part of K-C’s sustainability plans and we already sell plastic-free baby wipes in the UK, it isn’t possible to adapt our manufacturing processes in Flint in time, and it is therefore no longer viable to keep our consumer and B2B sites operational.
“Decisions that involve our employees are the hardest to make and we know this is a challenging period for our team. Supporting them through this complex situation is our top priority.
“We will also continue to work closely with our customers and retailers on transition plans for baby wipes and professional tissue products in the UK. We thank union and employee representatives for a constructive and respectful consultation process.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The closure of the two Kimberly-Clark mills would be a catastrophic blow to the economy and local communities of Flint and North Wales as a whole.
“The company has dropped this bombshell on its workforce. Our members are devastated and the effect on the local area will be catastrophic.
“Unite will fight to reverse this decision and calls upon the government to intervene to try and save these vital jobs. This decision, taken so rashly, cannot be accepted.”
It is expected that the majority of the jobs will be lost from manufacturing at the plant; however, several others will be lost in the supply chain.
It is understood the manufacturing of the wipes will be moved to Germany.