Chemicals company Croda International has announced an increase in demand.

The firm, which makes products derived from natural oils and fats rather than petrochemicals, recently announced it was set to shut Bradford-based Westbrook Lanolin with around 40 job losses.

The Goole firm experienced a slump in the second half of last year when the US slowdown affected sales of cosmetics.

But, these latest figures reveal its back on track with taxable profits beating forecasts at a rise of 3.8 per cent to £19.2 million.

Sales of personal and healthcare products have also risen by more than six per cent in the last six months. Chief executive Mike Humphrey said the company's profits were benefiting from greater sales and new product.

He said: "Our business is so well spread globally that we don't get hit so hard by local factors."

Croda supplies big brand clinets including Estee Lauder, Chanel, Avon, Unilever and Procter & Gamble.

Laisterdyke-based Westbrook Lanolin concentrated on making lanolin products for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and dermatological industries. It was bought by Croda Chemicals in 1998. Set up in 1925, the firm employs 48 people.

It is expected to be shutting its doors within weeks to transfer production of lanolin to an ultra modern new site at Rawcliffe Bridge, East Yorkshire.

Croda is also closing or selling off manufacturing sites at Brookstone, Leek; Knottingley, West Yorkshire and Air Street, Hull.

The Westbrook announcement was the latest blow to the Bradford's wool industry.

Last year the city's largest wool mill, Laisterdyke firm W&J Whitehead, shut after 143 years.