Neste said the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated the decline in demand for fossil petroleum products. With renewable energy consumption on the rise, Neste said it didn't expect the demand to return to pre-pandemic levels.
"Neste's story in Naantali had just started, so I understand that this news is difficult to receive. Over time, our Naantali staff has shown the ability to cooperate and innovate in many difficult situations, which we can be proud of. Now, however, we are in a situation where we have no options," Neste CEO Peter Vanacker said in a press release.
The oil firm said it will now focus on developing its Porvoo refinery for the processing of renewable and recycled raw materials. The personnel involved in the co-determination talks have publicly criticised the negotiations and said they believed that the outcome was predetermined.
"We are in agreement that we did not have enough information, time or even the opportunity to prepare alternative solutions. It would appear as if the outcome of the negotiations was predetermined," staff representatives stated in a joint bulletin.
At that time, Prime Minister Marin reached out to Naantali mayor Jouni Mutanen to say the government would shoulder responsibility for a possible refinery closure and that it would support to the workers and local community.
