BP to sell Saltend facilities

BP has announced plans to sell its ethyl acetate (ETAC) and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) manufacturing units at Saltend, near Hull, and the associated commercial businesses.

The decision follows a review which concluded that the Saltend site would focus on its existing acetic acid and acetic anhydride businesses. In addition, BP is proposing to relocate all commercial roles in the European region of its acetyls business from its offices in Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex to the Saltend site.

The proposed move is expected to create more than 30 commercial roles at the Saltend Site which is the largest producer of acetic acid in Europe.

Guy Moeyens, the Business Unit Leader of BP Acetyls said: 'We are committed to supplying acetic acid to customers around the world. We will continue to develop world class technology in acetic acid and acetic anhydride using our research and manufacturing facilities at Saltend. We will ensure that our staff, customers, suppliers and contractors are kept informed of developments.'

Around 400 people are employed on the manufacturing site at Saltend with a further 185 employed in the research and technology centre.