FEARS have been raised for jobs at a chemicals plant in Great Oakley after the firm announced it has closed a part of its business in the UK.

EPC UK, which has a site in Bramble Island, permanently closed its fuel additives manufacturing process at the end of April.

As a result, the company is laying off employees with a reported 150 redundancies being made

Ian Davies, commercial director at the EPC Groupe, said: “The EPC Groupe has taken the strategic decision to no longer participate in the global fuel additives market and as a result EPC Chemicals Ltd permanently closed its additives manufacturing process on April 27

 “EPC United Kingdom Ltd truly appreciates the loyalty and dedication of its employees and our primary concern has been to help our employees affected by this closure of activity and to provide them with assistance in finding new employment. 

“While the EPC Groupe has taken the decision to divest itself from the fuel additives market, it is committed to developing and retaining its explosives related activities. Therefore, the energetics and logistics activities will continue at Bramble Island. 

“EPC UK Ltd has earned respect for its business ethics, care for its people and service excellence, it will always endeavour to boost prospects for future business growth.”

EPC has owned land in Great Oakley for more than 50 years and the Bramble Island site has several functions including drilling and blasting services, safe explosive testing and, civil engineering.

Mike Bush, vice-chairman of Great Oakley Parish Council, said he was concerned with the lack of communication on the reported move.

He said: “It’s very concerning as with the chemicals and explosives used in Bramble Island, it has the potential to be very dangerous.

“I’d like for EPC to write to the parish council detailing how they intend on safeguarding the site.”

While the group is leaving the fuel additives market, it said it is still committed to its explosives-related activities.

Mr Bush added: “It’s just a shame that so many families that have worked there for several generations will now have to reskill and find jobs elsewhere.

“Our communities don’t have many employment opportunities so the future can end up looking really bleak for these people.”