200 jobs to go as AGC chemicals at former Thornton ICI site announces it will 'cease production' in December
Regrettably, AGCCE has concluded that there is no viable solution to keep the site operating
Chemical company AGC has announced it will cease production at the end of December leaving around 200 people redundant.
The Thornton company that operates from Hillhouse Enterprise Zone - and is at the centre of a land contamination probe - announced production is expected to cease by December 31 and will being ‘winding down the site’.
The company announced a 45 consultation process in July. Those affected include 190 permanent staff and 18 agency workers.
AGC made the announcement on its website saying - “Regrettably, AGCCE has concluded that there is no viable solution to keep the site operating in the context of a volatile and competitive market.”
It said it would work with authorities over the future of the site would continue ‘ensuring compliance with all regulatory obligations, including maintaining the necessary staff for plant decommissioning, environmental permit compliance and any environmental monitoring that may be required.”
The statement said: “We thank all our colleagues and their representatives for the open, honest and constructive discussions during the consultation, and greatly appreciate their professionalism and continued commitment during what has been a difficult time for them.
“Our priority now is to support employees through the redundancy process.
“We anticipate that some of the workforce will leave at the end of December 2026, with further redundancies during 2027.
“Enhanced redundancy packages and dedicated employment support will be offered to everyone affected, and specific information on such packages and support will be communicated directly to employees.”
All the latest news and top stories from across Blackpool and the Fylde coast directly to your phone
Never miss a thing.Click here to join
Contamination probe
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
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.
The Environment Agency has presented conclusions stating that Sandringham Avenue Allotments and those on Occupation Road 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
Wyre Council is currently considering the Environment Agency’s conclusions and continues 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.