Government Restarts Ensus Bioethanol Plant to Safeguard Critical CO2 Supplies Across Teesside and Protect UK Healthcare Food and Nuclear Industries

The UK Government has taken decisive action to safeguard the nation’s essential carbon dioxide (CO2) supplies by temporarily restarting the Ensus bioethanol plant in Wilton, Teesside.

This move comes amid growing concerns over CO2 shortages affecting healthcare, food production, nuclear energy, and other critical sectors.

The plant, which had ceased operations in Autumn 2025 and was slated for permanent closure, will now operate for a three-month period, bolstering domestic CO2 production and providing resilience for industries that rely on a steady supply.

Why the Restart Was Necessary

A combination of factors has disrupted CO2 availability across Europe.

Fertiliser production shortages, volatile global markets, and rising energy costs driven by the conflict in Iran have all contributed to supply instability.

Unplanned maintenance at European CO2 plants has further compounded the risk of undersupply for the UK.

With critical sectors—including hospitals, nuclear facilities, and the food and drink industry—dependent on reliable CO2, the Government judged that proactive intervention was essential.

Strategic Standby: The Government’s Role

Negotiations between the Government and Ensus began in September to keep the plant on standby.

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This strategic move allows for the rapid restart of production when national supply risks arise.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle emphasised the importance of government action, stating:

“By restarting this plant we’ve acted swiftly to boost the resilience of our supply chains and protect critical UK sectors like food production, water and healthcare, as well as the jobs and communities that depend on these industries.”

The decision reflects a broader commitment to maintaining access to essential industrial inputs, especially during periods of global uncertainty.

Economic and Industrial Benefits

The temporary restart of Ensus not only secures CO2 for vital sectors but also strengthens the wider Teesside manufacturing economy.

Grant Pearson, Chairman of Ensus, highlighted that the move supports employees and supply chains while reinforcing resilience for the UK’s food, healthcare, and nuclear sectors.

Additionally, active plant operations will benefit agricultural and fuel markets, including the development of sustainable aviation and maritime fuels, as well as the future production of greener chemicals.

Impact and Consequences

• Critical supply protection: Ensures CO2 availability for hospitals, packaged meats, fresh food, and nuclear facilities.
• Supply chain resilience: Reduces vulnerability to European market disruptions and rising energy costs.
• Economic support: Sustains jobs and stabilises local manufacturing in Teesside.
• Future sustainability: Enables expansion into greener fuel and chemical markets.

What’s Next?

The Government will continue monitoring market conditions closely, working with CO2 suppliers to manage supply and maintain value for taxpayers.

Long-term plans are also underway to diversify domestic CO2 sources and reduce reliance on imports, further strengthening national resilience against global disruptions.

Summary

The temporary reopening of the Ensus plant is a clear example of proactive government intervention to protect critical national infrastructure.

By acting now, the UK has mitigated the risk of CO2 shortages across healthcare, nuclear, and food sectors, while supporting local employment and future sustainable industry development.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Ensus bioethanol plant in Wilton, Teesside restarted temporarily for three months.
• Government intervention safeguards CO2 supply vital for healthcare, nuclear, and food production.
• European supply disruptions and Iran-related energy price hikes prompted urgent action.
• Temporary operations support local jobs, supply chains, and sustainable fuel initiatives.
• Long-term government plans aim to diversify CO2 sources and strengthen national resilience.