Jobs fears as Ensus rescue deal refused

CONCERNS FOR FUTURE OF 100 WORKERS AS GOVERNMENT RULES OUT SUPPORT

- By TOM KEIGHLEY

TEESSIDE bioethanol jobs are hanging in balance after the Government refused a rescue deal.

Ensus on Teesside and Vivergo Fuels, near Hull - the UK’s two largest bioethanol producers - will not receive rescue funding from the Department for Business and Trade.

Ministers have confirmed they will not support the companies, both of which have been hit by the end of a 19% tariff on US imported bioethanol as part of the recent UK-US trade deal.

Ensus, in Lazenby, Middlesbrough - which employs more than 100 people and thousands more indirectly via its supply chain - has previously stated a resolution is required to preserve employment.

Vivergo has announced its closure but the Ensus plant differs from the Vivergo operation because it also produces CO2 as part of the process.

Ensus, which is owned by Crop-Energies, part of the German firm Sudzucker, is the UK’s only large scale manufacturer of CO2, which is used in a wide range of sectors, including in drinks and the nuclear industry.