Hope for Teesside as £60M Investment Package Announced

photo : BBC

The UK Government has announced a £60M investment package to support the rejuvenation of industry in the region. and to develop it as a centre of excellence for low carbon and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Teesside, in the North East of England, has long been at the heart of the UK Chemicals industry, with the skyline dominated for many years by the (ex) ICI plants at Wilton, North Tees and Billingham.

The industrial base has significantly declined in recent years, however. ICI no longer exists and there have been multiple chemical plant closures in the region. The situation was exacerbated further with the recently announced closure of the Corus steel plant in the region, with the loss of 1700 jobs.

The £60M investment package will be used in a number of ways. Firtsly, to provide immediate support in the aftermath of the Corus closure. Secondly, there will be investment to help the region establish itself as a low carbon base; with investment to establish bio-based materials, to develop low energy technologies, for development of carbon capture and storage and to develop new business practices.

Very positive news. The region has the skills, the infrastructure and the desire to become this centre of excellence for low carbon technologies. With the political will, a strong and coherent plan and some targeted investment, this dream can  become a reality.

Outcome of Teesside Study - Ten Point Plan Annouced

photo : BBC

The proposed study into the future of the Chemical Industry on Teesside (UK) has been announced.

The plan was pulled together following the spate of closures on Teesside in recent months, with closures announced by Dow Chemical, Croda, Artenius, Elementis and Invista as well as the Petroplus Refinery announcing that refining would stop and the site would be converted to a terminal.

Industry champions will lead the various points in the plan covering

Innovation

Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
The future of the EO/glycols plant
Energy efficiency
Training
Supply chain development
Feedstocks
Teesside infrastructure for new investment
Marketing Tees Valley for future investment
Improved partnership working

My view is that these are all valid points. I also believe that securing the future of the Wilton cracker is essential for the long term survival of the process industry on Teesside, but as this is owned and operated by SABIC, it is impossible to cover directly in such a plan. My hope is that by addressing the other elements (particularly the future of the EO/MEG plant), the team will help to achieve this aim.

The skills that exist on Teesside are of the highest quality and could be used to develop new and green technologies, giving the UK a competitive edge in the market, but to do this, it is essential to retain the industrial core.

The plan has to succeed in order to secure the future of the process industries on Teesside. This will require determination and excellent co-ordination from the implementation team together with strong political support from the UK Government.