THE biggest hydrogen plant in England has been opened.

The £30m plant at Huntsman's North Tees site, built by Foster Wheeler Energy and owned and operated by BOC, will supply 32,000 tonnes a year of high purity hydrogen by pipeline to Huntsman's polyurethanes raw materials manufacturing operations at Wilton and its aromatics production complex at North Tees.

President and chief executive Peter Huntsman, who opened the plant yesterday, said it would play a vital part in the firm's expansion plans and efforts to attract new investment to Teesside.

"We believe that we have achieved a lot in helping to develop the area in the short time we have been here, but there is much more to do and it cannot be done in isolation. Certainly, for more growth to occur, the area needs not only the commitment of business but the full support of local and national political and economic forces."

Rob Margetts, BOC group chairman, said: "This new plant extends and strengthens our supply capability for our customers on Teesside and consolidates our position as the leading supplier of industrial gases in this area."