Industry leaders warn loss of Vivergo could derail Humber's green revolution

THE SITE COULD BE FORCED TO CLOSE

- By ANDREW SPENCE

THE closure of the Vivergo Fuels bioethanol plant at Saltend could derail the Humber's green industrial revolution, industry leaders are warning.

In a joint statement, a number of leaders from across the chemicals and renewables industries have called upon the Government to help protect the Saltend bioethanol site.

Vivergo's Saltend site is the largest bioethanol plant in the UK, however as a result of the US-UK trade deal announced earlier this year, the site is preparing for closure.

The trade deal included the removal of the 19 per cent tariff on ethanol imports from the US.

Domestic bioethanol companies, including Vivergo, say that this will put them out of business as they will become unable to compete with the cheaper, less regulated, imports from the States.