Tioxide expands TiO2 pigment output at Greatham

Tioxide Materials Ltd is increasing production at its titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment plant in Greatham, Teesside. Seven weeks after restarting the manufacturing facility, the company reports that the site can now produce all Tioxide and Deltio pigment grades used in the plastics sector. Progress on production volumes and the number of grades manufactured has been faster than anticipated, according to the company.

The restart follows LB Group's acquisition of the site and its associated assets in April 2026. Pigment production resumed at Greatham on 18 August 2026. Since then, output from the first manufacturing line has been ramped up and Tioxide has been building inventories of Tioxide and Deltio pigment grades in response to increasing demand.

The company has also recruited additional employees, including former Greatham personnel with knowledge of the facility, its processes and products. Recent appointments cover all departments and functions, supporting current operations as well as plans to increase production. With additional vacancies filled and new employees taking up their positions, the total Tioxide workforce is expected to reach 267 in the coming weeks.

Second production line scheduled for 2027

Engineering and commissioning work is under way to return the facility's second production line to operation. The line is scheduled to come on stream in early 2027. Once it is operational, the Greatham plant is expected to return to its full nameplate capacity of 150,000 tonnes of TiO2 pigment per year.

Tioxide is targeting a workforce of 308 people in 2027 and aims to employ more than 200 people at Greatham, a level comparable with the site's previous staffing figures. Recruitment remains under way for positions in engineering, production, sales, IT and customer services.

The company has also opened a new headquarters in Stockton-on-Tees, consolidating its main support functions in one location. According to Tioxide, the new base is intended to improve coordination between teams and provide support as the company expands its operations.

Production volumes ahead of plan

Karen Askwith, managing director of Tioxide, said: "The last seven weeks have flown by. In a short space of time, we have achieved so much. We are ahead of where we wanted to be in terms of production volumes and grades produced and have been delighted with the reaction to the restart from our customers and locally on Teesside. Restarting a major manufacturing facility safely and successfully is a significant undertaking. Doing so while continuing our recruitment drive is incredible and testament to the people on the Tioxide team."

Askwith added: "It's been particularly heartening to welcome back so many former colleagues, who have expert knowledge of the site, our manufacturing processes and our products. Behind what's been achieved sits a huge amount of work by people across all parts of the business and I'd like to thank everyone for their efforts. While there is still more work ahead of us, the progress made during our first seven weeks gives us a very strong platform to build on."

Tioxide plans to continue increasing output from the first line while expanding its workforce and completing the work required to restart the second manufacturing line.