Vivergo boss highlights 'great news'

FIRM WELCOMES GOVERNMENT TALKS BUT CONSULTATION ON CLOSURE STILL TO GO AHEAD

- By GRAEME WHITFIELD

THE head of a Humber bioethanol plant has said it has received two pieces of “great news” as it tries to avoid the threat of closure.

Hull-based Vivergo Fuels has warned that it might have to close after the recently-signed UK-US trade deal removed restrictions of imports on bioethanol, which can be used as an additive to petrol to make it less polluting.

The firm, which is owned by Associated British Foods (ABF), has welcomed Government talks on its future but also said it would begin consultation with staff to wind down the plant, which employs more than 160 people, due to the uncertain situation. The consultation is set to open tomorrow and could see production stop before September 13 if support is not provided.