Teesside plant deal safeguards jobs

A Teesside manufacturing site is set to restart operations, safeguarding jobs and creating new roles following a change in ownership.

Chinese manufacturer LB Group has completed the purchase of the titanium dioxide pigment plant at Greatham from Venator Materials UK Ltd, which entered administration in October 2025. 

The deal secures 132 jobs and will see around 70 additional roles created across operations, engineering and support functions, with recruitment set to begin immediately.

It also includes the Greatham manufacturing site and associated assets, as well as the Innovation Centre at Wynyard, strengthening the company’s research and development capabilities.

A new company, Tioxide, has been established as a wholly owned subsidiary of LB Group to operate the site.

Ms. Ran Xu, chair of Jiaozou-headquartered LB Group, said: “We are pleased to welcome the Tioxide teams to our organisation and look forward to building on Greatham’s strong manufacturing foundation. 

“Together, we will continue to deliver high-quality products and reliable service to our customers worldwide.”

The facility, which has been part of the Teesside industrial landscape for more than 50 years, produces titanium dioxide pigments used in coatings and plastics. 

LB Group plans to restart production in 2026, working with employees, suppliers and local stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.

The sale follows an agreement reached in October 2025 and completion of regulatory approvals, after the site was maintained in an idle state during the administration process. 

While the majority of roles have been safeguarded, a small number of positions were not included in the transfer, with some employees retained to support the wind-down of the wider Venator Group.

Karen Askwith, managing director of Tioxide added: “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone for the future of the Greatham site and the Innovation Centre at Wynyard. 

“It reflects LB Group’s confidence in our technical expertise, operational strength, and the value we bring to the TiO₂ pigment industry, as well as the capability and commitment of Teesside’s workforce. 

“As Tioxide, we will build on our legacy by bringing our strengths together to drive innovation and consistent high performance.

“We’re excited about joining LB Group and about the opportunity to continue to deliver the premium performance pigments our customers rely on.”

The transaction was overseen by Jonny Marston, Mark Firmin and Helen Skeates of global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal, who led the sale process following Venator’s administration.

Jonny added: “The successful completion of this transaction follows months of hard work by all involved and we are pleased to have secured ongoing employment for 132 employees locally, in conjunction with LB Group’s planned investment in the local economy. 

“We wish to extend our gratitude to the entire workforce for their tireless dedication to progressing the sale and supporting the administration process. 

“We also wish to extend our thanks to suppliers and other key stakeholders who have supported us throughout the administration.”

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