One of Britain’s last major chemical plants at risk as energy prices surge

Aerial view of the factory in Wilton, north-east England, which employs about 80 people and makes aniline, a chemical used in car seats and aircraft components. Photograph: Handout

The American owner of one of Britain’s last major chemicals plants has said he will close the site if energy prices remain at their current levels for the next three months.

Peter Huntsman, whose family built Huntsman Corporation into a global chemicals empire, said the recent jump in gas prices fuelled by the Iran conflict was “another nail in the coffin” for European heavy industry.