Chemical jobs safeguarded

The investment will make the site more environmentally friendly

A massive investment programme in a chemical plant in Cheshire has secured the future of more than 2,000 jobs.

The government has announced £50m funding for chlorine manufacturer Ineos Chlor in Runcorn.

It is part of a wider £389m investment programme by the firm, which is expected to safeguard a further 8,000 jobs at businesses dependent on the plant.

The announcement comes after ICI announced 300 jobs cuts across the UK, some of which will come from the firm's Runcorn plant.

The government funding for Ineos Chlor is part of an aid package to safeguard 10,000 chemical jobs in the UK.

'Greener future'

Bryan Gray, Chairman of the Northwest Development Agency said: "This is fantastic news for the North West and the UK chemicals industry, which is one of the region's key manufacturing sectors.

"This package safeguards a very significant number of jobs and supports major capital investment in advanced technology."

At Ineos Chlor, planned improvements include installation of computer control systems and new equipment for the firm's production of chlorine and caustic soda from brine.

The investment will make the site more environmentally friendly, with a new boiler eliminating emissions.

Patricia Hewitt, Trade and Industry Secretary, said: "It is good news that the company is investing in a greener future.

"There can be no doubt that UK manufacturing must devote more resources to cleaner, as well as cutting edge, technologies if it is to innovate and survive."