Latest news with #Ensus
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Britain has 12 days to save bioethanol industry, says AB Foods
LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - One of Britain's biggest bioethanol producers warned the government on Tuesday that unless it steps in with a support package for the industry within the next 12 days it will have to start closure processes at its plant. ABF Sugar, part of Associated British Foods (ABF.L), opens new tab, and Ensus together account for nearly all of the UK's bioethanol production capacity. "We have 12 days to save this industry," Paul Kenward, CEO of ABF Sugar, told lawmakers on parliament's Business and Trade Committee. Bioethanol is produced from crops such as wheat and is used to make petrol greener and sustainable aviation fuel. Byproducts include animal feed and carbon dioxide, the latter of which faced severe shortages in 2022. ABF Sugar and Ensus have warned that last month's U.S.-UK trade deal, which will see the UK's 19% tariffs on U.S. ethanol fall to zero, on top of existing regulations giving overseas producers an advantage in the British market, have made the operating environment impossible. They have said their plants at Hull and Teesside in northern England face closure. Along with supply chain partners, the plants support thousands of jobs. Kenward told lawmakers that by June 15 he needed to tell farmers whether he could sign new contracts for wheat supply. "Why would I do that unless I have some confidence that the government's going to step in?" he said. Kenward called on the government to urgently level the regulatory playing field, increase the amount of ethanol in UK petrol from 10% to 15% and support the development of sustainable aviation fuel. He also wants the industry to have access to short-term financial aid of up to 150 million pounds ($203 million). Kenward said AB Foods had invested 700 million pounds in the Hull site. 'Once it goes, it goes. Think what that does to future investors in green industries," he said. A government spokesperson said business minister Jonathan Reynolds had met members of the bioethanol sector and senior officials "continue to consider what options may be available to support the impacted companies". ($1 = 0.7396 pounds)
Rhyl Journal
15-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Reynolds agrees need for ‘urgent next steps' with bioethanol firms over US deal
Representatives of ABF Sugar and Ensus said Jonathan Reynolds had committed to act within 'days, not weeks' amid concerns hundreds of jobs could be at risk. The Government is 'open to discussion' of potential options to support the industry, the Department for Business and Trade said. The agreement between London and Washington includes a UK concession to cut British tariffs on US ethanol, which is used to produce beer and as a fuel additive, from 19% to 0%. ABF Sugar and Ensus, the two main firms producing UK bioethanol – a form of renewable energy produced from agricultural materials – have said the deal could lead to the closure of the country's two biggest plants. Mr Reynolds met representatives from both companies and local MPs on Wednesday for talks about the agreement. In a joint statement, ABF Sugar chief executive Paul Kenward and Ensus chairman Grant Pearson said: 'We had a constructive discussion today with the Secretary of State and local MPs. 'We were pleased that the Secretary of State recognised the strategic importance of the UK bioethanol industry and acknowledged the urgency of the situation, with a commitment to act in days, not weeks. 'We will continue to engage closely and constructively with Government over the coming days to help secure a positive outcome for the industry, our workers and the communities we support.' A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: '(The Business Secretary) made clear that the Government is working closely with the industry to understand the impacts on those companies and is open to discussion over potential options for support. 'The Business Secretary agreed to work alongside Cabinet colleagues to look into the issue further and explore putting a process in place to protect future UK production of bioethanol. 'Both sides acknowledged the significance of the sector, and the need for urgent next steps. 'The Business Secretary reiterated the merits of the deal, which will protect thousands of jobs across key sectors – from farming to pharmaceuticals – and lay the groundwork for greater trade in the future.' Mr Kenward and Mr Pearson told The Times earlier this week that the facilities in Salt End, East Yorkshire, and Wilton, Teesside, would be at risk and the UK industry faced an 'existential threat' after the deal. Under the trade agreement, the first of its kind to be struck by the new Trump administration, the White House agreed to ease some of its sweeping tariffs for industries like cars and steel. It removed the 25% tariff rate on UK steel and aluminium exports, reducing the trade barrier for these goods to zero, while American levies on British cars fall to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported. Both sides have said the details of the deal will be worked out in the weeks ahead.
Glasgow Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Reynolds agrees need for ‘urgent next steps' with bioethanol firms over US deal
Representatives of ABF Sugar and Ensus said Jonathan Reynolds had committed to act within 'days, not weeks' amid concerns hundreds of jobs could be at risk. The Government is 'open to discussion' of potential options to support the industry, the Department for Business and Trade said. The agreement between London and Washington includes a UK concession to cut British tariffs on US ethanol, which is used to produce beer and as a fuel additive, from 19% to 0%. ABF Sugar and Ensus, the two main firms producing UK bioethanol – a form of renewable energy produced from agricultural materials – have said the deal could lead to the closure of the country's two biggest plants. Mr Reynolds met representatives from both companies and local MPs on Wednesday for talks about the agreement. In a joint statement, ABF Sugar chief executive Paul Kenward and Ensus chairman Grant Pearson said: 'We had a constructive discussion today with the Secretary of State and local MPs. 'We were pleased that the Secretary of State recognised the strategic importance of the UK bioethanol industry and acknowledged the urgency of the situation, with a commitment to act in days, not weeks. 'We will continue to engage closely and constructively with Government over the coming days to help secure a positive outcome for the industry, our workers and the communities we support.' A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: '(The Business Secretary) made clear that the Government is working closely with the industry to understand the impacts on those companies and is open to discussion over potential options for support. 'The Business Secretary agreed to work alongside Cabinet colleagues to look into the issue further and explore putting a process in place to protect future UK production of bioethanol. 'Both sides acknowledged the significance of the sector, and the need for urgent next steps. 'The Business Secretary reiterated the merits of the deal, which will protect thousands of jobs across key sectors – from farming to pharmaceuticals – and lay the groundwork for greater trade in the future.' Mr Kenward and Mr Pearson told The Times earlier this week that the facilities in Salt End, East Yorkshire, and Wilton, Teesside, would be at risk and the UK industry faced an 'existential threat' after the deal. Under the trade agreement, the first of its kind to be struck by the new Trump administration, the White House agreed to ease some of its sweeping tariffs for industries like cars and steel. It removed the 25% tariff rate on UK steel and aluminium exports, reducing the trade barrier for these goods to zero, while American levies on British cars fall to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported. Both sides have said the details of the deal will be worked out in the weeks ahead.
South Wales Guardian
14-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Reynolds agrees need for ‘urgent next steps' with bioethanol firms over US deal
Representatives of ABF Sugar and Ensus said Jonathan Reynolds had committed to act within 'days, not weeks' amid concerns hundreds of jobs could be at risk. The Government is 'open to discussion' of potential options to support the industry, the Department for Business and Trade said. The agreement between London and Washington includes a UK concession to cut British tariffs on US ethanol, which is used to produce beer and as a fuel additive, from 19% to 0%. ABF Sugar and Ensus, the two main firms producing UK bioethanol – a form of renewable energy produced from agricultural materials – have said the deal could lead to the closure of the country's two biggest plants. Mr Reynolds met representatives from both companies and local MPs on Wednesday for talks about the agreement. In a joint statement, ABF Sugar chief executive Paul Kenward and Ensus chairman Grant Pearson said: 'We had a constructive discussion today with the Secretary of State and local MPs. 'We were pleased that the Secretary of State recognised the strategic importance of the UK bioethanol industry and acknowledged the urgency of the situation, with a commitment to act in days, not weeks. 'We will continue to engage closely and constructively with Government over the coming days to help secure a positive outcome for the industry, our workers and the communities we support.' A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: '(The Business Secretary) made clear that the Government is working closely with the industry to understand the impacts on those companies and is open to discussion over potential options for support. 'The Business Secretary agreed to work alongside Cabinet colleagues to look into the issue further and explore putting a process in place to protect future UK production of bioethanol. 'Both sides acknowledged the significance of the sector, and the need for urgent next steps. 'The Business Secretary reiterated the merits of the deal, which will protect thousands of jobs across key sectors – from farming to pharmaceuticals – and lay the groundwork for greater trade in the future.' Mr Kenward and Mr Pearson told The Times earlier this week that the facilities in Salt End, East Yorkshire, and Wilton, Teesside, would be at risk and the UK industry faced an 'existential threat' after the deal. Under the trade agreement, the first of its kind to be struck by the new Trump administration, the White House agreed to ease some of its sweeping tariffs for industries like cars and steel. It removed the 25% tariff rate on UK steel and aluminium exports, reducing the trade barrier for these goods to zero, while American levies on British cars fall to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported. Both sides have said the details of the deal will be worked out in the weeks ahead.
South Wales Argus
14-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Reynolds agrees need for ‘urgent next steps' with bioethanol firms over US deal
Representatives of ABF Sugar and Ensus said Jonathan Reynolds had committed to act within 'days, not weeks' amid concerns hundreds of jobs could be at risk. The Government is 'open to discussion' of potential options to support the industry, the Department for Business and Trade said. The agreement between London and Washington includes a UK concession to cut British tariffs on US ethanol, which is used to produce beer and as a fuel additive, from 19% to 0%. ABF Sugar and Ensus, the two main firms producing UK bioethanol – a form of renewable energy produced from agricultural materials – have said the deal could lead to the closure of the country's two biggest plants. Mr Reynolds met representatives from both companies and local MPs on Wednesday for talks about the agreement. In a joint statement, ABF Sugar chief executive Paul Kenward and Ensus chairman Grant Pearson said: 'We had a constructive discussion today with the Secretary of State and local MPs. 'We were pleased that the Secretary of State recognised the strategic importance of the UK bioethanol industry and acknowledged the urgency of the situation, with a commitment to act in days, not weeks. 'We will continue to engage closely and constructively with Government over the coming days to help secure a positive outcome for the industry, our workers and the communities we support.' A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: '(The Business Secretary) made clear that the Government is working closely with the industry to understand the impacts on those companies and is open to discussion over potential options for support. 'The Business Secretary agreed to work alongside Cabinet colleagues to look into the issue further and explore putting a process in place to protect future UK production of bioethanol. 'Both sides acknowledged the significance of the sector, and the need for urgent next steps. 'The Business Secretary reiterated the merits of the deal, which will protect thousands of jobs across key sectors – from farming to pharmaceuticals – and lay the groundwork for greater trade in the future.' Mr Kenward and Mr Pearson told The Times earlier this week that the facilities in Salt End, East Yorkshire, and Wilton, Teesside, would be at risk and the UK industry faced an 'existential threat' after the deal. Under the trade agreement, the first of its kind to be struck by the new Trump administration, the White House agreed to ease some of its sweeping tariffs for industries like cars and steel. It removed the 25% tariff rate on UK steel and aluminium exports, reducing the trade barrier for these goods to zero, while American levies on British cars fall to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported. Both sides have said the details of the deal will be worked out in the weeks ahead.
