Member Article

Troubled Ensus plant re-started

Work at troubled Teesside biofuels plant Ensus has re-restarted.

The team behind the Wilton site, which stopped production for the third time in three years in April, kick-started again at the weekend.

People living near the plant have been informed of the start-up which, the company says, comes after the completion of “essential maintenance work” begun in July.

The firm - now owned by German firm CropEnergies AG - also believes that “market conditions have significantly improved,” meaning the process of getting the plant up to full production can begin, although it is expected to take several weeks.

The high-tech plant, which opened in February 2010, makes bioethanol for use in greener road fuels as well as high protein animal feed for farmers, plus carbon dioxide for the food and drinks industry.

“The process of start-up and getting the plant to full production is likely to take some time and - as with all start-up and planned or unplanned shutdown situations - odours will be noticeable at times,” said a spokesman.

“We wish to prove ourselves a good neighbour and to that end have spent heavily to resolve the significant odour issue from the main stack that we fully recognise caused much disturbance.”

Employing 100 people, it caused controversy when a strong stench emanating from it had locals - and people further afield - complaining.

Ensus made a major investment in equipment to reduce the smell, only for commercial pressures to force another temporary closure.

On taking over the business in July, CropEnergies pledged to try to get the plant up and running again by the autumn.

As well as 100 people at the site, Ensus says it supports up to 2,000 jobs in the wider supply chain, including farmers, hauliers and people employed in the engineering support and storage sectors.

Thanking people living near the site for their patience during the closures, the company said: “We continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to reduce lighter residual odours from ground-level stock tanks as we seek to improve our performance.”

CropEnergies produces 1.2m cubic metres of bioethanol per year from modern production facilities in Germany, Belgium, the UK, and France.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .