Steel giant Tata is set to close a major plant in Wales in a blow for the local economy and hundreds of workers.
On Monday, the company proposed a closure of its Orb Electrical Steels plant in Newport - at a loss of 380 jobs.
Orb is part of Tata's Cogent Power Inc. which was one of a number of "non-core" businesses Tata had put up for sale last year.
Cogent Power Inc. includes Cogent Power in Burlington, Canada and Surahammars Bruks AB, in Surahammar, Sweden.
Tata is retaining Surahammars Bruks AB, which makes advanced steels for electric vehicles and employs around 100 people.
However it said it "had been unable to find a way forward for Orb Electrical Steels and so has proposed to close the site, with the potential loss of up to 380 jobs".
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Orb is based in Pill, Newport, where there has been steelmaking since 1898.
Henrik Adam, chief executive of Tata Steel’s European operations, said: “We have been able to secure the future for almost 400 colleagues in CPI and Surahammars Bruks.
"However, today’s proposal will be sad news for colleagues at Orb in South Wales. This is necessary, enabling us to focus our resources, including investment, on our core business and markets, helping us build a long-term sustainable future in Europe.”
Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the steelworkers’ trade union Community: "This is shocking news, which makes a mockery of the understanding we reached with Tata around the jobs guarantee.
"There has been no consultation about this proposal either at UK or European level and company management should hang their heads in shame in the way this has come about."
Tata said the Orb Electrical Steels business has been loss-making for several years as it struggled to compete in the market to supply steels used in electricity transformers in which customer requirements have out-stripped the site’s capability.
Adam added: “Continuing to fund substantial losses at Orb Electrical Steels is not sustainable at a time when the European steel industry is facing considerable challenges. We saw no prospects of returning the Orb business to profitability in the coming years.
"I recognise how difficult this news will be for all those affected and we will work very hard to support them."
