Tioxide adds 60 jobs as Greatham restart nears

Tioxide has launched a second recruitment phase as it prepares to restart titanium dioxide pigment production at its Greatham facility in Hartlepool later this month. The company has already hired more than 60 people since April and now expects to add about 60 more roles as it moves toward full production.

Why it matters: - The Greatham restart would bring titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing back to Teesside and add high-quality industrial jobs to the local economy. - The site’s return also matters for LB Group’s UK operations because Greatham is part of the company’s TiO2 asset base. - Tioxide expects the restart to support customers worldwide with products made in the region.

What happened: - Tioxide launched the second phase of its recruitment programme on August 6, 2026, as restart plans at the Greatham facility in Hartlepool advanced. - The company said titanium dioxide pigment production is on track to return to Teesside later this month. - Since April, Tioxide has hired more than 60 employees in 12 weeks. - Those hires filled most of the 70 positions announced after LB Group acquired the Greatham site and its associated TiO2 pigment assets. - The company’s current workforce now stands at more than 200 employees. - Tioxide is headquartered in Stockton-on-Tees.

The details: - Recruitment at Greatham has focused on production, engineering and technical specialists. - Those roles will support both the black end and finishing plant. - Tioxide has also expanded teams at its research and development centre in Wynyard and at its head office in Stockton-on-Tees. - The second recruitment phase will create around 60 additional roles. - The new hiring round supports the move toward full production capability as Greatham prepares to bring its second line into operation. - Since April, Tioxide has announced a total of 130 positions. - Karen Askwith, managing director at Tioxide, said the response to the recruitment campaign has been encouraging and said the company is making excellent progress through commissioning. - Askwith said Tioxide expects single-stream production to resume in August, subject to successful completion of key commissioning milestones. - Tioxide manufactures premium-performance titanium dioxide pigments under the TIOXIDE and DELTIO brands. - The company says its products are designed for use in all major applications. - Tioxide has more than 50 years of manufacturing heritage, advanced research and development capabilities and a global supply network. - Tioxide is a wholly owned subsidiary of LB Group, which the company describes as the world’s leading TiO2 pigment and titanium sponge manufacturer. - More information is available in Tioxide’s careers page and on Tioxide’s website.

Between the lines: - The hiring push suggests Tioxide is moving from asset acquisition and staffing toward operational readiness. - Bringing back former employees alongside new recruits can help speed up commissioning because the site needs both experience and fresh capacity. - The focus on technical and production roles shows the restart is centered on manufacturing execution, not just corporate expansion. - The company is framing the restart as both a commercial move and a regional economic boost.

What's next: - Tioxide said it expects single-stream production to resume in August if commissioning milestones are completed successfully. - The company will continue hiring as it prepares to bring the second line into operation. - The restart process will likely remain focused on safe commissioning and the transition to full production capability. - Tioxide is directing interested candidates to register interest through its careers site.