200 jobs at risk as AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd based at former ICI plant in Thornton plans to cease production

Almost 200 jobs in Thornton are hanging in the balance as the operators of the former ICI plant reveal proposals to cease production.

AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd (AGC Inc.) has announced plans for a 45 day consultation with its 190 permanent employees and 18 agency staff on proposals to cease production at Hillhouse, Thornton.

The company has been operating a fluoropolymer manufacturing facility, which was acquired from ICI, within the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone at Thornton since 1999.

Fluoropolymer manufacturing at Hillhouse dates back to the 1950s and with ICI Hillhouse and the Burn Naze Chemical Works, the area has served as a major chemical manufacturing site since the 1890s.

Bosses at the former ICI plant say all roles at the site are affected but no final decision on the proposal has been made at this time.

This proposal has been made because the site has experienced significant financial and operational challenges, generating a loss for the past four years.

Bosses said despite continued investment from AGC Inc. and the hard work of Hillhouse employees, the situation is no longer sustainable in the context of a volatile and competitive market.

What have AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd about said about the proposal?

A spokesman for AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd said: “Our immediate focus is the people who are affected, and to begin a meaningful consultation process.

“The consultation is expected to take at least 45 days. AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd. will work closely with unions and employee representatives with a view to seeking their agreement on various matters, including how we might avoid or reduce dismissals and mitigate the impact for employees.

“We appreciate these are difficult and uncertain times for our colleagues and we will seek to be informative, responsive and supportive through the consultation period.”

“AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd. takes its responsibilities to protect employees, the local community and the environment very seriously.

“If a decision is taken to cease manufacture, AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd. remains committed to ensuring compliance with all regulatory obligations, including maintaining the necessary staff for environmental permit compliance and any environmental monitoring that may be required.

“If, after consultation, the proposal is taken forward, it is envisaged that production will cease by the end of this calendar year. Further updates will be provided in line with the consultation process.”

Probe into possible historical chemical contamination at Hillhouse Enterprise Zone

A detailed investigation was launched in July 2024 to consider whether historic contamination has occurred at Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone, in Thornton.

Experts concluded that two allotment sites in Thornton meet the criteria to be determined as contaminated land as part of an ongoing environmental investigation.

Wyre Council launched a multi-agency investigation in 2024 to consider potential historic contamination from the former ICI site - now operated by AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd – which occupies part of Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.

The investigation is looking into whether Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), used on the site between the 1950s and 2012 and released into the air, may have been deposited on land in the surrounding area.

Now, the Environment Agency has presented conclusions stating that Sandringham Avenue Allotments in Thornton meet the criteria to be determined as contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

These conclusions follow two phases of shallow soil sampling carried out at the site last year, which found PFOA levels above the low-risk interim screening level for soils where produce is grown in an allotment setting. The results have already been published on the multi-agency webpages here: www.wyre.gov.uk/multi-agency

With the support of the allotment tenants, Sandringham Avenue Allotments has been closed temporarily while Wyre Council follows the legal process towards remediation of the site. The Council’s full intention is for the land to be restored and brought back into use as an allotment.

A spokesperson for the multi-agency investigation said: “An investigation of this nature is a complex legal process and we will continue to follow that process carefully.

“We understand that local residents will understandably be concerned, particularly as we now have two sites which appear to meet the criteria for determination under the contaminated land regime, the other being Occupation Road Allotments.

“The recommendation for Sandringham Avenue Allotments - as with Occupation Road - is based on very sensitive screening levels for allotment sites, recognising that people who grow produce in this way are more likely to consume a higher proportion of home-grown produce in their diet than those who grow food at home.”

Wyre Council will now consider the Environment Agency’s conclusions and continue to follow the legal steps set out under Part 2A. The wider multi-agency investigation into potential historic contamination linked to part of the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone remains ongoing.

Current advice

Current advice from the Food Standards Agency for people living within 1km of the Hillhouse site remains the same.

- For those living within 1km of the site, consumers of home-grown produce should wash and peel their produce to remove soil, dust and bacteria before eating.

- The FSA advise this for all home-grown produce, however given the elevated levels of PFOA in soil samples, removing the soil will help reduce exposure to PFAS.

- Due to the elevated levels found in soil, residents living within 1km may also consider the use of raised beds and fresh soil when growing produce in gardens or allotments.

Further advice from UK Health Security Agency is here:

- Follow normal hygiene precautions and wash hands thoroughly after working or playing in the garden or allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food or drink

- Wash and peel any produce grown in the soil in order to remove any soil or dust.

What do AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd say about the contamination?

A spokesperson for AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd. (AGCCE) said: “AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd. (AGCCE) has always worked collaboratively with the Environment Agency, Wyre Council, local community and wider stakeholders, and will continue to do so as the detailed investigation is carried out.

“At AGCCE we regularly monitor our emissions as we aim to ensure our activities do not pose a risk to the environment or to human health.

“All our essential chemical processes and products are already rigorously monitored and controlled and today we are compliant with current UK and EU environmental laws and regulations.

“For clarity, AGCCE does not manufacture or sell PFOA, PFOS or firefighting foam. As AGCCE has previously disclosed, the Hillhouse Industrial Estate site, where AGCCE is based, has a history of chemicals manufacturing dating as far back as the 1890’s, and it is expected that any residual contamination from the site is related to historical activities.

“AGCCE has conducted and is planning further on-site assessments which cover legacy, as well as any current or future activities. We are committed to sharing these voluntary assessments with the relevant regulatory authorities. We take our responsibilities to protect the environment and health extremely seriously.

“As science and technology has developed, we are constantly improving our manufacturing processes in line with our sustainability goals and continue to actively invest in and develop our processes to save energy and further reduce emissions.”

Historical timeline for the Hillhouse site

- Fluoropolymer manufacturing at Hillhouse dates back to the 1950s and with ICI Hillhouse and the Burn Naze Chemical Works, the area has served as a major chemical manufacturing site since the 1890s.

- AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd. (AGCCE) has been operating a fluoropolymer manufacturing facility, which was acquired from ICI, within the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone at Thornton Cleveleys since 1999.

- Historical records show that that in the 1940s the Ministry of Supply were actively involved in chemical production at the Hillhouse site and ICI Hillhouse had a chlorine-production facility until 1992. Substances include chlorinated solvents and heavy metals, notably mercury from historical chlorine manufacturing activities.

- ICI Hillhouse was a chlorine-production facility. A division of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), it was active between 1941 and 1992.