DS Smith human resources director Brian Wark said that the site had been making substantial losses for a number of years and would probably close this year.

Despite the skills and commitment of the workforce its not been possible to find a way to return the site to profitability, said Wark.

The Govan plant had 61 workers when it transferred to DS Smith earlier this year, but there have been redundancies. Around eight of its current 49 staff have expressed interest in transferring to DS Smiths plant in Dumbarton. Wark added that those not wishing to transfer would be provided with help in finding other jobs.

DS Smith bought Macfarlane Groups northern corrugated packaging division in October for 900,000.