A new £10 million chlorination plant has been opened at growing Bradford chemical firm A H Marks.

The event marks the completion of a three-year £35 million investment programme by the firm which is the UK's largest private chemical company.

The new plant was based on the firm's in-house research and design and allows the large quantity production to a high level of purity and efficiency.

Opening the plant the president of the United Kingdom Chemical Industries Association, Dr Joe Blaker, said today: "This new plant marks a major investment by A H Marks. The plant uses state-of-the-art technology with a substantial part of the cost involving the latest safety and environmental safeguards which are helping to set industry standards in line with the CIA principles of responsible care."

The firm's investment recently paid off when it won a long-term agreement with BASF of Germany to manufacture the firm's phenoxy herbicides.

Landscaping was undertaken in close consultation with local residents, involving the planting of 9,000 trees and shrubs.

Rhys Marks, the company's chairman and managing director, said today: "This plant represents a major investment by the company and clearly demonstrates our commitment to grow the business, creating wealth and more jobs in Bradford."

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