WORKERS at a chemicals firm are bracing themselves for swinging job cuts.

The INEOS plant at Seal Sands, Teesside, has been notified of closure plans by the plant's owner BASF.

From February 12, the maintenance and operation of the plant will transfer to BASF following the termination of an agreement between them and INEOS.

After expressing concerns about “profitability and competitiveness”, BASF contacted Stockton North MP, Alex Cunningham, to confirm that the company plans to close the plant sometime in this year. 

The number of jobs that could ultimately be lost is said to be 30.


A spokesperson from INEOS said: "BASF have notified INEOS of its plans to close its HMD (hexamethylene diamine) plant located at Seal Sands.
"BASF has also served notice on its contract with INEOS to supply services and utilities to their HMD plant, until 2028.

"In light of BASF’s decisions INEOS has no choice but to begin a consultation on the proposed closure of the Services & Utilities plant with its employees at the site."


Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has slammed the plan and said he will do all he can to help those affected find new jobs.


Mr Houchen said: “My heart goes out to those affected by the news today and we’ll work to do what we can to find new jobs. Thankfully, at this stage, it does not look like this news will have an impact on any other businesses in Teesside or lead to any other job losses at other firms. 
"Unfortunately, this is yet more evidence that playboy billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is more interested in buying super yachts and sports teams than looking after his hard working and dedicated workers. It is because of the world-class workers we have in Teesside that Ratcliffe has been able to amass the fortune he has, the least he could do is show then the respect they deserve. Rather than spending nearly £185m on two super yachts, he should invest in his plants, back his workers and save 90 jobs in Teesside.”

Stockton North MP, Alex Cunningham said the decision by BASF to close the plant shows there is a real need for a Tees Valley industrial plan.

Mr Cunningham said: “After a period of eight months which has seen us lose more than 12500 jobs across the Tees Valley, it is deeply disappointing to see another Teesside plant close down with the loss of many well paid skilled jobs.

“I’ve been told that the 30 directly employed workers will be transferred to BASF and will be largely employed decommissioning the plant over the next 12 to 18 months after which there may be other opportunities within the BASF group elsewhere in the country. 

 “The chemical industry is part of the life blood of our area and we need to see how it can be better supported to invest for the future to retain and create new jobs particularly now we have left the EU when they are facing all manner of new barriers to trade.  We really do need an industrial plan for Teesside that works – not one which promises jobs at some time in the future and fails to protect those that exist.”