Hull manufacturing facility set for multi-million pound expansion

INEOS Oxide’s manufacturing facility in Hull is set to undergo multi-million pound expansion.

The firm is expanding to increase production of Ethyl Acetate (EtAc) by 100,000 tonnes per year. It is expected that the additional capacity will be available by the end of next year.

Due to the high demand of EtAc for use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, inks and flexible packaging, the Hull plant is already at full capacity.

The firm, which said this is the first major UK investment to be made following the Brexit vote, will be able to continue to serve customers across Europe as a result of this expansion.

Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS founder and chairman, said: “We believe in British manufacturing and will support it wherever we can. Our Hull plant is at capacity and this extra investment will enable us to significantly increase production that we will sell all over Europe and across the world.”

The Hull site will also benefit from INEOS’ $1bn decision to import US Shale gas to Scotland.

A pipeline linking INEOS’ petrochemicals plant at Grangemouth with INEOS Oxide in Hull means the site will be able to use ethylene produced from imported US shale gas, as its main raw material.

Graham Beesley, CEO INEOS Oxide added: “We are the largest producer of EtAC in Europe and we are about to get a lot bigger. Growth in demand for our products is strong and this investment will support our customers’ needs over the long term”

The Hull plant, which was originally built with expansion in mind, will also benefit from easy logistical access to Europe and the global market, supporting both import of raw material, and export of EtAc.

INEOS Oxide is a producer of solvents, speciality Chemicals, Ethylene Oxide, Ethylene Oxide Derivatives, Propylene Oxide and Propylene Oxide Derivatives, with production facilities in Antwerp Belgium, Koln Germany, Hull United Kingdom, Lavera France and Plaquemine Louisiana US.

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