BUSINESS BITES
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Green aviation fuel project set for Wilton
Green for go – Wilton International has been confirmed as the base for a multi-million-pound aviation fuel project.
BUSINESS BITES
STEEL RIVER DEAL Steel River Quay at Teesworks has entered into a three-year agreement with Tusk Lifting for the supply of lifting equipment and provision of LOLER inspection services across its facilities and ongoing projects.
The partnership comes on the back of Steel River Quay’ s rapid growth and expansion, with its deep-water port, heavylift capabilities and expansive laydown areas positioning it as a critical hub for offshore wind and renewable energy projects.
Teesside’ s Wilton International site has been confirmed as the base for a multi-million-pound green aviation fuel project – bringing with it 250 jobs and a major boost for the region’ s clean energy ambitions.
Wilton International, owned and run by Sembcorp Utilities, will host Willis Sustainable Fuels’( WSF) flagship plant, designed to produce 14,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel( SAF) each year from 2028.
The project was kickstarted in early 2025 with a £ 2.9m grant from the UK Department for Transport’ s Advanced Fuels Fund.
Alongside 200 construction jobs, the plant will create 50 permanent, highlyskilled roles, and using waste-derived biomethane as its feedstock, the facility will turn rubbish into jet fuel.
Dr Amy Ruddock of WSF, a subsidiary of Willis Lease Finance Corporation, said:“ Wilton International offers the strategic location and world-class infrastructure
Investment bank appointed to drive first-of-a-kind lithium plant
A
leading European investment bank has been appointed to spearhead the financing to build Britain’ s first largescale lithium refinery on Teesside, marking a major step forward in the UK’ s ambitions to secure domestic supply of critical battery materials.
Tees Valley Lithium has engaged ABG Sundal Collier( ABGSC) to lead a proposed US $ 245m bond and equity raise to fund construction of the project’ s first production train on Teesside.
Once complete, the refinery, on the Wilton International site, near Redcar, will produce 25,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade necessary for the next generation of SAF production.
“ Our selection of Wilton International underscores the pivotal role Teesside will play in the UK’ s energy transition.”
Mike Patrick, CEO of Sembcorp Energy UK, added:“ This partnership reinforces our commitment to enabling the UK’ s energy transition and strengthens Wilton International’ s strategic proposition in supporting industrial decarbonisation.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen hailed the move as“ another incredible vote of confidence in our region from Willis, helping Teesside lead the way in aviation services and pioneering fuels of the future”.
And Redcar MP Anna Turley said they are“ exactly the kind of opportunities we want for our young people and skilled workforce here on Teesside”.
The Wilton fuel plant will run in tandem with Willis’ s expansion at Teesside International Airport, where a huge 50-ft high maintenance hangar is already rising on the north side of the site.
Funding – Tees Valley Lithium has engaged ABG Sundal Collier( ABGSC) to lead a proposed US $ 245m bond and equity raise to fund construction of the project’ s first production train on Teesside.
lithium hydroxide – enough to supply around 500,000 electric vehicles annually.
From its Teesside base, Tees Valley Lithium plans to produce battery-grade lithium, providing a local, reliable and sustainable supply.
CYBERSECURITY RECOGNITION Tees-based IT managed services and cybersecurity specialist Circle Cloud is celebrating national recognition after being named SMB Proposition of the Year by Bytes, one of Microsoft’ s Inner Circle partners.
The award recognises Circle Cloud’ s innovative approach to helping small and medium-sized businesses( SMBs) harness the power of Microsoft products, as well as providing them with secure and compliant IT support.
YARM’ S NEW TAPAS BAR Teessiders have welcomed a taste of Spain to the region as a new tapas and cocktail bar opened in Yarm high street.
Bosses behind La Terraza Tapas and Cocktails – backed by the team behind renowned Tomahawk Steakhouse – have heralded a successful restaurant launch to a crowd of food lovers, local business owners and influencers.
The fresh new standalone venture officially opened with an exclusive exclusive, invite-only launch evening.
HYDROGEN FUEL BOOST A drive to raise awareness of how hydrogen can be used in transport has been given its own fuel injection with the launch of a new hydrogen refuelling training facility at Redcar and Cleveland College.
Believed to be among the first colleges in the country to have a fully operational modular unit of its kind deployed on site, it will offer students and delegates the chance to see hydrogen as an alternate transport fuel in full use.
Made possible with £ 286,000 hydrogen hub transport funding, secured from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, the refuelling system has been supplied by Hydrasun.
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