Tioxide Expands Hiring as Greatham TiO2 Plant Nears Production Restart

Tioxide has accelerated preparations for the restart of titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment production at its Greatham facility in Hartlepool by launching the second phase of its recruitment campaign. The company expects production to resume later this month, marking another milestone in the revival of the Teesside manufacturing site following its acquisition by LB Group.

Since its establishment in April, Tioxide has recruited more than 60 employees within just three months, successfully filling most of the 70 positions initially announced after LB Group acquired the Greatham facility and its associated TiO2 pigment assets. These appointments have covered finance, business services, operational, engineering, and technical functions, increasing the company's total workforce to more than 200 employees.

The recruitment strategy has primarily focused on strengthening production operations, engineering capabilities, and technical expertise required to support activities across both the black-end processing units and finishing plant. In addition to expanding operations at Greatham, Tioxide has also added personnel at its research and development center in Wynyard as well as its corporate headquarters in Stockton-on-Tees.

To support the next stage of production expansion, Tioxide has launched the second phase of hiring, which will create approximately 60 additional positions. These new roles are intended to facilitate the commissioning and operation of the site's second production line. Once completed, the company will have announced nearly 130 new jobs since April, reflecting its long-term commitment to rebuilding domestic titanium dioxide manufacturing capacity.

Managing Director Karen Askwith stated that the strong response to the recruitment campaign demonstrates confidence in Tioxide's future. She highlighted the return of many experienced professionals who had previously worked at the company's facilities, noting that their operational expertise will play a vital role during the restart process. She also emphasized the importance of attracting new talent capable of contributing fresh ideas and supporting future growth.

Askwith explained that restarting a large-scale manufacturing facility requires extensive planning and careful commissioning. The company remains focused on completing key operational milestones safely before commercial production resumes. Subject to the successful completion of commissioning activities, Tioxide expects single-stream TiO2 pigment production to restart during August, with further expansion following the activation of the second production line.

The restart of the Greatham facility represents a significant development for both Tioxide and the Teesside region. Besides restoring local manufacturing capacity, the project is expected to generate skilled employment opportunities, strengthen regional industrial activity, and enable the company to supply premium titanium dioxide pigments to customers across global markets.

Impact on Product

The restart of the Greatham facility will improve the availability of titanium dioxide pigments in the European market. As production ramps up, customers in the paints, coatings, plastics, paper, and inks industries will benefit from improved supply reliability and shorter lead times. The addition of a second production line will further strengthen Tioxide's production capacity, reducing dependence on imports and enhancing supply chain resilience. Over the longer term, the increased domestic output may improve competitiveness and support stable product availability across key downstream sectors.