Unite, the UK's leading union, has committed to oppose the threatened closure of a packaging factory in Derbyshire, as consultations have begun.

Last month DS Smith, one of the UK's leading suppliers of retail packaging, finalised a takeover by Memphis-based International Paper in a deal believed to cost £5.8bn.

The new management is now planning to restructure UK operations with the potential closure of five sites, affecting approximately 300 roles by the end of 2025. The Clay Cross site is one that has been earmarked for closure. There are almost 140 jobs at risk, among those Unite represents the engineers.

These planned closures come despite International Paper stating during the acquisition process that they did not intend to close plants in the UK. Earlier this year, the firm released a financial report which stated higher sales and earnings, primarily driven by the DS Smith acquisition.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Workers who were given assurances that their jobs would be safe now face paying the price for a profitable company's greed. It is an utter disgrace that International Paper is playing fast and loose with workers' livelihoods.

"Unite is prepared to fight every step of the way to protect our hardworking members' jobs at Clay Cross."

The Clay Cross site is one of the largest employers in the local area, with generations of families relying on it for a livelihood and giving years of dedicated service. It was among DS Smith's highest performing sites in the UK, winning accolades for its outstanding performance in both operational success and health and safety.

A key deciding factor in selecting Clay Cross over other plants for closure was what they claim is required infrastructure investment in the short term. The most significant being a new roof, this was recommended following a visual inspection of the building in 2021, however the site team have been managing the roof for a number of years and not currently asking for it to be replaced.

Unite regional officer Larry McGlinchey said: "The potential loss of so many well paid jobs in the area will be devastating to our members, their families and the local community.

"Unite will support our members all the way and overturn this ridiculous decision to close a profitable factory."