ONE of the Tees Valley’s fastest- growing chemical companies is doubling the size of its Billingham plant as part of a £6m expansion programme.

Chemoxy International has purchased an additional five acres of land which will house a range of equipment, including a combined reaction and fractionation column, and provide space for future planned expansions.

Ian Stark, chief executive officer, said: “We are seeing increased demand for our manufacturing services and our environmentally-friendly solvents. Our new plant will significantly increase our capacity. “We pride ourselves on having the agility and responsiveness of a small company and the quality and level of service of a much larger organisation.”

He thanked the support they had received from the Regional Growth Fund which was endorsed by Tees Valley Unlimited, the North East of England Process Industry Cluster and Stockton Borough Council.

Chemoxy provides manufacturing services to a variety of science based industries including petrochemicals, oil and gas, flavour and fragrances, and agricultural chemicals. It also produces its own range of low toxicity solvents which are sold to paint companies all over the world. Chemoxy is also one of the UK’s leading solvent recyclers.

Commissioning at the newlyacquired site is expected to begin in July. The expansion has created 15 new jobs which brings its workforce to 130.

The company was created two years ago following a management buyout of Dow Chemical Company’s two Teesside processing plants. The new expansion programme follows a major one in 2012.

Dr Stan Higgins of NEPIC said: “The team at Chemoxy must be very proud of their performance since they took ownership of the company.

“Yet again we have seen how fine and speciality chemical companies can produce excellent performance when decision making is localised, confirming the need for such companies to be entrepreneurial, competitive and fleet of foot in these globalised markets.”

“There are several such success stories for companies in our region who have blossomed when they have dropped the shackles of large corporate organisations through management buyout.

“Chemoxy, Fine Organics and Aesica are all fantastic examples of what can be achieved.”