Tioxide restarts Greatham TiO2 plant after LB Group acquisition

Tioxide has recommissioned its titanium dioxide pigment plant in Greatham, Hartlepool, and begun production after the site was acquired by LB Group earlier this year. The restart puts TIOXIDE and DELTIO products back in the market and sets up a phased ramp to full output by early 2027.

Why it matters: - The Greatham restart restores UK TiO2 pigment production at a historic Teesside site and strengthens supply for coatings, plastics and inks customers. - The plant’s return adds manufacturing capacity to a global market that relies on stable pigment supply. - The site’s 150,000-tonne annual nameplate capacity gives Tioxide a meaningful production base as it ramps back up.

What happened: - Tioxide Materials Limited announced the successful recommissioning of its titanium dioxide pigment facility at Greatham in Hartlepool on Aug. 18, 2026. - Production has begun at the site, with single-stream operation underway. - TIOXIDE and DELTIO products are returning to the market. - The restart follows LB Group’s acquisition of the Greatham site and associated TiO2 pigment assets earlier in 2026. - The facility was idled in Q4 2025.

The details: - Tioxide said the restart followed four months of commissioning, testing and maintenance work. - Engineering, operations and technical teams worked together to prepare the facility for commercial production. - A phased ramp-up is underway to increase output. - Tioxide expects full operational capacity by early 2027. - The Greatham facility has a nameplate capacity of 150,000 tonnes of TiO2 pigment per year. - Production is supported by scientists at Tioxide’s research and development centre in Wynyard. - Commercial and business support teams are based at Tioxide’s headquarters in Stockton-on-Tees. - Tioxide sells TiO2 pigments under the TIOXIDE and DELTIO brands. - The pigments are used in coatings, plastics and inks. - Customers can contact Tioxide’s commercial team or visit more information. - Tioxide also lists its LinkedIn page at company updates.

Between the lines: - The restart is more than a maintenance update. It signals a reset for a site with more than 50 years of manufacturing history. - LB Group’s ownership gives the Greatham plant a path back to full operation after a shutdown that could have left customers exposed to tighter supply. - Karen Askwith, Tioxide’s managing director, called the restart a landmark moment and tied it to the local economy, the UK chemical sector and the wider TiO2 industry. - Askwith also said the company’s immediate focus is a safe and successful ramp to full manufacturing operations.

What's next: - Tioxide will continue stepping the site up through its ramp-up program. - The company aims to reach full manufacturing capacity by early 2027. - Tioxide says the longer-term goal is to provide customers with a reliable and sustainable source of TiO2 pigments.

The bottom line: - Greatham is back online, and Tioxide is moving from recommissioning to scale-up as it rebuilds a strategic pigment supply asset in the UK.