**Hundreds of Jobs to Go at Welsh Factory as Closure Confirmed – Wales Online**
Hundreds of jobs are set to be lost at a wet-wipe factory in Wales following the announcement of the closure of the site. Kimberly-Clark, the manufacturers in Flint, will see over 200 employees losing their jobs as the company cites its inability to comply with the upcoming UK plastics ban. The UK Government, in conjunction with the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland, has decided to ban the sale of plastic-containing baby wipes from mid-2026.
Back in June, the company expressed concerns about reconfiguring their north Wales site in time for the deadline and entered into consultations regarding a potential shutdown. Owners have now confirmed the closure, scheduled for 2025, which is expected to affect between 200 and 300 jobs. Unite union has described this decision as “devastating”.
According to a Kimberly-Clark spokesperson, the consultation process concluded with the decision to shut down both plants at the Flint site due to the UK’s plastics ban. Despite efforts to sell plastic-free baby wipes in the UK, the manufacturing processes in Flint cannot be adapted in time, rendering the site economically unviable. The company emphasised that supporting affected employees is their top priority, and they will collaborate with customers and retailers on transition plans.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham expressed dismay over the closure, highlighting the catastrophic impact it will have on Flint and north Wales. While the majority of job losses will occur in manufacturing at the plant, there will also be ramifications in the supply chain. Production of the wipes is expected to shift to Germany.
Graham vowed to contest the decision and called on the government to intervene to preserve these crucial jobs. She also criticised Kimberly-Clark for placing profit above the welfare of its workforce. The closure is set to have far-reaching consequences not only for the employees but also for the local economy.
Overall, the closure of Kimberly-Clarkâs operations in Flint represents a significant loss for both the workforce and the community, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced in the region’s industrial landscape.