Biofuels firm axes refinery jobs

Up to 40 jobs are likely to be lost after a biofuels company said it was closing its Teesside refinery.

D1 Oils said the decision was necessary because of cheap imports of biodiesel from the United States.

A spokesman for the company said staff were being consulted about possible jobs losses, although it was still hoping to sell the business.

North East Euro MP Martin Callanan called on the European Union to act in an effort to stop cheap US imports.

D1 Oils said it plans to concentrate on planting in India and Africa to produce biofuels.

'Viable location'

The firm said staff at the refinery at Middlesbrough's Forty Foot, were being kept informed.

A spokesman said: "We do not see the UK as offering a viable location for refining and trading to meet domestic demand for the foreseeable future.

"We therefore intend to cease our refining and trading operations. We have commenced a consultation process with employees at both our Middlesbrough and Bromborough sites.

"We will consult with employees in relation to the future of the sites, including their potential closure and sale."

Mr Callanan said: "I am disappointed for the people who will be losing their jobs.

"I think the subsidies are unfair. There's no way UK firms can compete with America as long as the subsidy regime continues.

"I hope the European Commission will now realise that enough is enough. We need to be putting pressure on the US to end this."