A CHEMICALS firm with global headquarters in the North-East has marked 80 years of work in the region.

Huntsman Pigments made its first ton of titanium dioxide pigment at its factory in Billingham, near Stockton, in July 1934.

The firm has offices in Wynyard Park, near Stockton, with a plant at Hartlepool and a polyurethane base at Wilton, near Redcar.

Bosses say its pigments add whiteness and brightness to products, such as coatings, cosmetics and food, while increasing their longevity and reducing energy consumption.

Simon Turner, Huntsman Pigments’ president said: “This is a fantastic achievement in a highly competitive global industry.

“Our business is built on the expertise, dedication and teamwork of thousands of people who have worked and continue to work for us.

“We’ve faced many challenges over the years, but we are successful because we embrace change.

“We are constantly learning and innovating to transform the business.”

Huntsman previously played its part in a pioneering technique aimed at saving companies tens of thousands of pounds by converting waste heat into electricity.

Redcar-based DRD Power installed a power organic rankine cycle heat recovery system at Huntsman’s Hartlepool site, capable of generating power from waste steam or hot water at temperatures as low as 90C.