4th March 2026
Grangemouth will benefit from £10 million new investment to create new jobs and boost skills development.
Further investment into Celtic Renewables will support the company's expansion into large‑scale commercial production of sustainable biochemical solutions, creating 149 new jobs in the area by 2030.
The funding comprises £5 million in Scottish Enterprise equity funding - building on previous Scottish Government investment of over £6 million via the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund - which has in turn leveraged £5 million from the private sector into Celtic Renewables.
During Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the Scottish Government has also announced £90,000 for a new employment pathways programme in the region, run by Forth Valley College in collaboration with Falkirk Council.
The programme will help local Grangemouth residents develop practical and technical skills, gain accredited training and qualifications, connect with local industries, and receive personal development support to improve their chances of getting a job or progressing to further education.
Climate Action and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: "This investment is a clear demonstration of our commitment to securing a just transition for Grangemouth and ensuring the region remains at the heart of Scotland's low‑carbon industrial future.
"Celtic Renewables is an outstanding example of the innovation and ambition that is driving our move towards net zero, and this further investment by Scottish Enterprise will help the company scale up, create high‑quality jobs and build new skills for the local workforce.
"During Scottish Apprenticeship Week, it is also particularly important to highlight how this package - including new support for pathways into employment - will open up opportunities for people across the area. By backing pioneering technologies and investing in our future workforce, we are laying the foundations for a more sustainable, resilient and prosperous Grangemouth."
Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Adrian Gillespie said: "Celtic Renewables is a great example of how Scottish innovation and tenacity can transform a concept into a strong commercial opportunity with significant scaling potential.
"We've supported the company's growth ambitions since 2011, and it’s pleasing to see its first operational demonstrator plant here in Grangemouth as well as hearing they’re accelerating their plans for a full-scale biorefinery, which will create high-quality jobs.
“Today’s investment and employability announcements clearly demonstrate the impactful partnership approach of the Grangemouth Future Industries Board, bringing together our collective drive and expertise to transform the area into a leading destination for green energy and fine chemicals innovation."
Celtic Renewables Chief Executive Mark Simmers said: “Our demonstrator facility in Grangemouth is Scotland’s first biorefinery and has been operational since 2023. In that time, we’ve proven that our patented ABE fermentation process is scalable and commercially viable, de-risking future projects.
“Today, demand for our bio-based chemicals far outstrips current production capabilities at our demonstrator plant. Companies globally are seeking to switch to green chemicals to cut their indirect Scope 3 emissions and meet increasing customer demand for more sustainable products. With this latest investment, we’re now poised to take the knowledge gained at our demonstrator plant and scale to full industrial-level operations in Grangemouth."
Principal of Forth Valley College Kenny MacInnes said: "We welcome this funding announcement and are excited by the opportunities that it will create. It enables us to deliver a targeted, high impact programme that will put local people at the heart of Grangemouth’s transition to a net zero economy.
"Through our Future Skills Pathways to Employment programme - which will be based at our Falkirk Campus and its state-of-the-art STEM and Renewables training facilities - we will equip individuals with the practical skills, recognised qualifications and confidence needed to access real job opportunities in growing low carbon and technical sectors.
"By working closely with Falkirk Council, employers and community partners, we are ensuring that the benefits of economic transition are inclusive, locally rooted and focused on long term employment outcomes. This investment is about creating opportunity, building resilience and making sure no one is left behind as our economy evolves."
Background
Today’s announcement confirms a total of £10 million in additional investment, comprising:
£5 million in equity investment from Scottish Enterprise
£5 million leveraged from private sector investors
£6.23 million has already been invested into Celtic Renewables by the Scottish Government through the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund, the funding from Scottish Enterprise builds on this.
11 December 2025
Funding to support up to 460 new jobs at Grangemouth
Supporting future Grangemouth industries
Up to 460 new jobs are expected to be created at the Grangemouth industrial cluster and surrounding area, thanks to £8.5 million new Scottish Government funding.
Following the allocation of £1.5 million of Scottish Government’s Grangemouth Just Transition Funding to Scottish biotech company MiAlgae, up to 310 jobs are expected to be created over the next five years.
The company is developing fish-free omega-3 out of algae by repurposing whisky byproducts, saving an estimated 30 tonnes of fish for every tonne of algae produced and reducing the impact of over-fishing on fish stocks.
The funding will be match funded by the UK Government, following calls from the Scottish Government, and will be administered by Scottish Enterprise. It is also expected to deliver an additional £53 million into the Scottish economy over the same period.
Meanwhile, up to 149 roles will be created in Grangemouth at Celtic Renewables, by 2030 following the allocation of £6.23 million to support pre-construction work for a new bio-refinery at Grangemouth to support the manufacture of ‘green’ chemicals. This is where waste from the food, drink and farming sector is converted into acetone, butanol and ethanol - chemicals found in everyday items such as nail varnish remover and cleaning products.
The technology was identified by Project Willow as one of the viable alternative pathways which could successfully be deployed within the Grangemouth industrial cluster.
A further £0.6 million will be awarded to Scottish Enterprise to support key planning and infrastructure activity at the site to ensure the area is a more attractive and shovel ready location for new investment.
All three projects are being supported through the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund and are designed to encourage further investment in the site by demonstrating its long-term potential as a leader in green energy and sustainable manufacturing, and support initiatives that increase the prosperity of those who live and work there.
An additional £150,000 will be awarded to CVS Falkirk over the next three years through the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal for the continuation of one role to help ensure community voices are present as part of the delivery of the Grangemouth Just Transition Plan.
The announcements come ahead of a statement to Parliament by Energy Secretary Gillian Martin on progressing a just transition at Grangemouth.
Ms Martin said: "The Scottish Government will continue to do all that it can to support and promote local opportunities, jobs and growth, in the Grangemouth area.
“Today’s announcement will help to support the creation of up to 460 roles directly and across the supply chain in Scotland, and help to highlight the wide range of viable alternatives for Grangemouth. They demonstrate that a long term, new industrial future at Grangemouth is achievable, and will be vital to support the local workforce and community.
“This funding is only the start of the Scottish Government’s support to help safeguard Grangemouth’s role as a leading industrial cluster, and ensure the site continues to support our economy through new, green investment opportunities.”
Jan Robertson, Director of Grangemouth Transition at Scottish Enterprise, said: “It’s wonderful to see this support going to two companies we’ve worked with intensively since their inceptions.
“Seeing MiAlgae break ground on its first commercial-scale plant, as well as announcing the latest stage in Celtic Renewables’ growth journey, are causes to celebrate. Grangemouth is the perfect location for innovative Scottish scale-ups to grow, creating high-quality jobs and supply chain opportunities for the whole community.
“We also welcome the additional £0.6 million Scottish Government funding to accelerate our important infrastructure improvement work at Grangemouth, which will unlock further investment at the cluster and support the creation of new jobs.”
Scottish Government funding
Additional funding support
Celtic Renewables
FEED and pre-FID activities associated with the business’ ABE biorefinery project - which will help support up to 149 jobs in Grangemouth by 2030.
£6.23 million
MiAlgae
To support the construction of MiAlgae’s first commercial scale bioreactor at Grangemouth which will produce Omega-3 through its proprietary fermentation process from waste products from the whisky industry.
This has the potential to create up to 130 direct new jobs in Grangemouth over the next five years and an extra 180 roles across Scotland.
£1.5 million
£1.5 million UK Government funding
CVS Falkirk
Funding over the 2025/26, 2026/27, and 2027/28 financial years to support the continuation of the organisation’s Community Engagement and Participation Manager role
£150,000
Scottish Enterprise
To ensure that key enabling works to prepare the site for future investment are progressed at pace.
£595,000
TOTAL
£8,475,000
£1,500,000
£9,975,000