In a significant development, INEOS Styrolution has announced that it will expedite the closure of its Sarnia facility, now slated for completion by the end of December 2025. The decision has drawn strong oppositions from local unions, with Unifor calling on both the federal and provincial governments to intervene and secure a new investor for the plant.

Unifor, the largest private-sector union in Canada, represents 320,000 workers including the 50 workers at the Sarnia facility, as well as numerous contractors who are directly impacted by the closure. The union argues that this move will have far-reaching consequences for the local community and for Canada's broader chemical and plastics supply chain.

Lana Payne, National President of Unifor, expressed her disappointment over INEOS's decision, describing the accelerated closure as "a devastating blow to our members and the local community." She urged government officials and the company to collaborate in finding a solution to prevent the plant’s closure.

"The expedited closure of the Sarnia plant is a devastating blow to our members and the local community," Payne said. "We urge the governments and the company to work together to secure a new investor." Payne’s statement reflects the union's concern that the closure not only threatens the jobs of its members but also endangers the broader economic health of the region.

The Sarnia site holds particular significance to Canada’s industrial history. Originally built by the Canadian government as the Canadian Polymer Crown corporation, it has been an integral part of the nation’s chemical and plastics supply chain for decades. The proposed shutdown jeopardizes the livelihoods of workers and the security of supply for Canadian manufacturers who rely on the site’s operations.

Samia Hashi, Unifor’s Ontario Regional Director, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the years of service dedicated by workers at the facility. "Our members have dedicated years of service to this facility," Hashi said. "INEOS must fulfil its responsibility to these workers and the Sarnia community by exploring all avenues to keep the site operating safely under new ownership."

The Sarnia facility, now operated by INEOS Styrolution, has a unique place in Canada’s history. It was prominently featured on the reverse side of the 1971 Canadian $10 bill, which illustrated the plant’s importance to the country’s industrial identity. The plant’s closure, therefore, is not only an economic setback but also a blow to the heritage of the community.

Unifor has urged both the federal and provincial governments to step in and help facilitate a resolution. The union believes that with the right intervention, a new investor could keep the site open and preserve the jobs that are vital to the local economy.

"INEOS must fulfill its responsibility to these workers and the Sarnia community by exploring all avenues to keep the site operating safely under new ownership," Hashi added.