UK CO2 plant to reopen in Iran war contingency plan

Mar 26, 2026 · 416 words · By Dearbail Jordan

Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cew7xrj4497o

Topics

UK Energy Policy International Trade Relations

Detected Techniques

Loaded Language (confidence: 70%)

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Flag-Waving (confidence: 80%)

Exploiting patriotic or group feelings to justify or promote an action.

Fact-Check Results

“UK CO2 plant to reopen in Iran war contingency plan”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No relevant evidence found in archive to verify or contradict the claim about UK CO2 plant reopening as part of Iran war contingency plan

“The UK government has agreed to invest £100m to reopen a carbon dioxide (CO2) plant in a contingency plan against supply disruption caused by the war in Iran.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm or refute the £100m investment claim for CO2 plant reopening

“The site in Teesside, operated by Ensus, will restart operations after it was mothballed in September.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found to verify the Teesside plant mothballing date or Ensus operations

“CO2 is a key part of food and drink production and is used to stun livestock during slaughter as well as in packaging to keep food fresh, and in fizzy drinks.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm CO2 usage specifics in food and drink production

“The plant, which manufactures bioethanol which produces CO2, was shut after the government struck a trade deal with the US which removed a tariff on American ethanol imports into the UK.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found to verify the link between US trade deal and CO2 plant shutdown

“The decision, first reported by the Financial Times, external, is believed to have been partly driven by concerns about the rising cost of energy on fertilizer companies in Europe, which also produce CO2 as a byproduct.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm Financial Times reporting on the decision

“The business at Wilton International industrial site employs about 100 people and supports a UK supply chain of about 3,000 jobs.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found to verify employment figures or supply chain impact

“Oil and gas prices have risen sharply since the US and Israel launched military action against Iran on 28 February.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm oil/gas price fluctuations post-military action

“Tehran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital shipping route for a fifth of global oil and gas supplies.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found to verify Tehran's closure of Strait of Hormuz

“In 2021, the UK food and drink industry faced a CO2 crisis after the price of wholesale gas surged and fertilizer producers struggled with higher manufacturing costs.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm 2021 CO2 crisis linked to gas prices

“Last May, the government struck a trade deal with the US which removed a 19% tariff on ethanol imports up to a quota of 1.4bn litres, approximately equivalent to the size of the UK market at the time.”

❓ PENDING

“Vivergo Fuels, which was owned by Associated British Foods and produced bioethanol, closed and Ensus's plant was mothballed.”