INEOS Cuts 60 Jobs in Hull Due to Energy Costs and Chinese Imports
- INEOS is cutting 20% of its workforce at the Hull Acetyls plant, totaling 60 jobs.
- INEOS invested £30 million at Hull to switch from natural gas to hydrogen, reducing emissions by 75%.
- Chinese imports emit up to eight times more CO₂ than INEOS's UK operations.
- INEOS calls for anti-dumping tariffs to protect the UK and European chemical industry.
Job Cuts at INEOS Hull
INEOS is reducing its workforce by 20% at the Hull Acetyls plant, resulting in the loss of 60 skilled jobs. This decision is driven by high energy costs and anti-competitive trade practices, with cheap imports flooding the UK and European markets.
Impact of Chinese Imports
Chinese imports, produced using coal, emit up to eight times more CO₂ than INEOS's UK operations. These imports face no trade barriers in the UK or Europe, unlike in the US, where tariffs are in place.
Call for Government Action
INEOS is urging the UK Government and European Commission to implement anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese and US imports to safeguard the chemicals sector. The company warns that without such measures, more sites could close, leading to further job losses across the industry.
Investment in Decarbonisation
Despite investing £30 million to switch from natural gas to hydrogen at the Hull site, cutting emissions by 75%, INEOS highlights that progress in decarbonisation is at risk without trade defense measures. The company emphasizes the need for urgent action on energy, carbon, and trade to prevent further deindustrialisation.
Source: INEOS