IN a major fillip for manufacturing industry in Essex, Industrial Chemicals Group, a specialist chemical manufacturer, will expand production capacity at its West Thurrock Chlor Alkali facility.

This will create 53 new jobs, including apprenticeships.

The £7million expansion, which includes a production line, is supported by funding from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

ICG supplies chemicals to a range of industries, including the water utility industry, the food industry, paper-making, and homecare chemical products. Its annual turnover is now approaching £100million.

The firm handles more than one million tonnes of specialist chemicals annually, supplying its products to customers around the world.