Over the years, Tata Chemicals Europe's Lostock site has been a place of invention, innovation and constant development.

Originally as Brunner Mond the site was bought from from Bowman Thompson and Company in 1900 and closed it down for seven years for reconstruction. In 1907, the new plant started up, making around 60 tonnes of soda ash a day.

By 1926, soda ash production had gradually increased to an average of 800 tonnes a day, and all Brunner Mond assets became part of ICI - the chemical giant of British industry.

But many years of growth and prosperity were followed by a decade of under investment and in 1991, ICI divested to a consortium of financial investors and the soda ash business reverted to its original company name - Brunner Mond.

Since then the company has invested heavily to turn it into one of the most efficient operations in the world to remain competitive. The Sustainable Energy Plant is the next key development.

Since then the company has invested heavily to turn it into one of the most efficient operations in the world to remain competitive. The Sustainable Energy Plant is the next key development.