Hundreds of jobs are to be lost at a wet-wipe factory in Wales as owners announce closure of site. Over 200 people will lost their jobs at Kimberly-Clark manufacturers in Flint as owners say they cannot meet 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 that their north Wales site would not be able to be re-configured in time for this deadline and entered into consultation about potentially closing the site. Now owners have said this will go ahead and will close in 2025.
Between 200 and 300 jobs are expected to be affected by the closure in a decision Unite union has described ad “devastating”. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news
Read more: Body discovered in search for missing 98-year-old man
Read more: How much state pension could rise by next April
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 mid-2026.
“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 itself however several others will be lost in the supply chain. It is understood the manufacturing of the wipes will be moved to Germany.
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.
“Kimberly Clark will reap millions in profit from this move and our members will struggle to now put food on the table. 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.”