THE region's chemicals industry is showing solidarity with Teesside steelworkers, urging ministers to protect the beleaguered Redcar plant and thousands of jobs across the region.

Today a board meeting it taking place in Thailand at the headquarters of plant owner SSI, which could decide the fate of the site's 1,900 workers and the future of steelmaking in the North-East.

The plant stopped making iron and steel on Friday morning last week as SSI sought to stem heavy losses and restructure debts of more than £500m.

SSI has ignored requests for talks with Tees MPs and union leaders, and the Government has rebuffed suggestions it should use taxpayers' money to prop up the works.

This has led to growing fears that SSI UK will be placed into administration and the site mothballed for the second time in five years.

If SSI pulls the plug it would deliver a shattering blow to the steel industry. The wider impact of its collapse will be felt across the region, said Dr Stan Higgins, chief executive of chemicals industry cluster organisation NEPIC.

He explained: “Europe's second biggest blast furnace is part of the chemical-processing sector of North-East England and the loss of steel making in this region will have significant supply chain impacts.

"These impacts would include large volumes of industrial gases, water and water treatment, logistical support to engineering and maintenance, telecoms and office supplies.

"A significant number of companies will be impacted by a closure should it occur, in addition to the direct jobs of those employed within the site itself.

"This also goes against the recent UK strategy of re-shoring its manufacturing base. As a nation we should all be stating to the powers that be to save our steel.”

"SSI, along with many of its supply chain companies, are members of NEPIC and we offer our full support to all through this difficult time, as we continue to lobby for a level playing field for UK manufacturing verses its competition,” Dr Higgins added.

Steel workers, their families and friends will hold an emergency rally in Redcar today to call on the Prime Minister to save the local steel industry.

Supporters of the Save Our Steel campaign will gather in the Majuba Road Car Park, Redcar, from 6.45pm this evening.

Follow the rally live here at northernecho.co.uk

Anna Turley MP and Paul Warren, chair of the SSI Multi-Union Committee, will address the crowd.

At 7.30pm supporters will be asked to hold a torch aloft and join a chant of 'Save Our Steel’.

Posters will be distributed to the crowd for people to put in their windows at home.

 

 

 

 

 

In the meantime the crisis at SSI is expected to be top of the agenda at the biennial steel industry conference which takes place in London today.