A NORTH-EAST company which produces chemicals for the plastics industry has revealed plans to improve its water management programme which could lead to more jobs.

Ineos Nitriles wants to drill boreholes at its Seal Sands base to test the site's suitability for carrying out water treatment.

The company says new technology could be used at the site to reduce air emissions and discharge into the River Tees, which would allow it invest more into the site and local jobs.

Jean Phaneuf, INEOS Nitriles Seal Sands site director, said: “We are applying to Stockton Council for planning permission to carry out this study to understand whether or not the local geology is suitable for introducing technology for managing the process water created at the site.

“Our preference is to use technology that meets the highest safety standards, so the first step is to gather rigorous scientific data on the local geology to understand whether this technology could be appropriate and effective at our site here at Seal Sands.”

Mr Phaneuf said the work would be carried out by expert geologists and would not damage the environment or operations at the site.