Saltend stokes European chemicals debate

The BP-managed site, which celebrated 100 years of operations at its Hull location in May, will host members of the European Chemical Site Promotion Platform (ECSPP) for its annual meeting on September 24 and 25.

ECSPP promotes investment in the chemicals industry, with chemical cluster operators, industry leaders and logistics representatives among its members.

Saltend Chemicals Park, which is home to eight producers, has seen £500m investment in the last five years, including a £350m investment in the Vivergo Fuels bioethanol refinery plant.

The chemicals industry in Europe is facing tough challenges, particularly as the uptake of shale gas in the US has dramatically cut manufacturing costs, leading to increasing competition from American imports.

Despite this, ECSPP president Patrick Pogue said investment in sites such as Saltend has been seen throughout Europe.

The event will address the question, ‘Does the European chemicals industry have a future?’, exploring how innovation can transform the industry to a low-carbon base and promote the advantages of investing in Europe, he said.

Saltend Chemicals Park business development manager Dr Diana Taylor said the event is an opportunity to showcase the ‘world-class manufacturing and research and expertise’ at the park.

Ms Taylor, who is also an ECSPP committee member, said: ‘This event is also about strengthening relationships between the people who can make a real difference by working together to bring investment into Europe.’

Dr Chris Bowlas, manager of Saltend Chemicals Park and chairman of Humber Chemical Focus, told The Yorkshire Post the event is a sign of how far the industry in the UK, and Saltend in particular, has developed in recent years.

He said: ‘When we started Saltend Chemicals Park in 2009, nothing in the UK chemicals industry was recognised in Europe. The UK wasn’t recognised as a chemical producing nation.

‘I think with this event, it’s clear we’ve really put ourselves on the map.’

The European chemicals industry has some very positive elements, including a strong track record for technical manufacturing and research and development, but is also challenged with retaining skills in an aging workforce and increasing sophistication in developing markets.

Saltend is also benfiting from the ‘very exciting’ emergence of renewable energy development around Hull, Dr Bowlas said.

Vivergo Fuels’ bioethanol plant is expected to produce a third of the UK’s bioethanol demand for petrol. The park is also located between two major windfarm developments that were announced earlier this year.

‘The Humber region is really at the forefront of renewable energy, with a huge amount of investment in the industry,’ he said.

Earlier this year, Siemens announced a £160m investment in turbine production in Green Port Hull, located to the east of the city.

Associated British Ports (APB) confirmed a further £150m investment, which is part of the industry in the area, dubbed Energy Estuary.