HUNTSMAN Tioxide has announced 300 jobs are to go in a financial shake-up .
About 30 jobs will be lost at the company's west site in Billingham, with a further 160 in Grimsby and 100 in Umbogintwini, in South Africa.
Huntsman is the world's third largest producer of titanium dioxide pigment.
Eighteen months ago, Huntsman spent £60m on a plant at Greatham, near Hartlepool, the importance of which will grow with the firm's decision to wind down operations in Grimsby and in South Africa.
Bill Beattie, site director for Huntsman Tioxide at Greatham, said: "Regrettable though the decision is to reduce the plant capacities at our sister plants in Grimsby and South Africa, this can only increase the importance of our modern new operations at Greatham.
"It will also lead to a greater dependence on Greatham to perform to the highest manufacturing standards, and we are confident we can meet the increased expectations on us."
The job cuts will be carried out within the next year.
Huntsman Tioxide is part of the US-owned Huntsman Group of companies.
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