Hundreds of Element Six workers are facing a future on the dole queue
The global giant has announced its shedding 370 jobs with the closure of its manufacturing and distribution activities at the plant in the Shannon Industrial Estate.
Only 80 will be retained on site in high skill areas such as R&D, Global Customer Services and Group support.
In a statement Element Six says despite a series of cost reduction programmes in the past few years, continued production at the Shannon site is no longer sustainable or viable, and the primary business it serves is loss-making.
It added that the decision was highly regrettable and a number of alternative were sought at length.
The production and distribution activities will largely be relocated to other Element Six sites.
Management will commence the process of winding down the manufacturing and distribution operations to effect closure by around year end.