NEWS WATER INDUSTRY FACES A PERFECT STORM


specialist water industry recruitment firm, Water by Murray. In its 2025 Water Industry Labour Report, the specialist revealed that


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the number of water engineers raising concerns about skills and recruitment had almost doubled in the last year, up from 26% in 2024, to 49% this year. With the increased scrutiny facing the industry in light of the Thames Water crisis, this increase paints a concerning picture for the future of water at a critical time in the latest asset management period. The report also revealed that the engineer exodus flagged in the


2024 research report still hasn’t been resolved, with two-thirds (66%) of engineers seeking roles in alternative sectors in the coming months, and nearly a quarter (23%) of the existing workforce planning to retire in the next five years. Results from the study of over 4,300 engineers from across the UK


water industry should sound alarm bells for employers that are already battling ongoing shortages as AMP8 begins. The data also echoes other findings from a recent round table hosted by Marsh McLennan, which found that the sector faces an image problem, with graduates reportedly seeing a career in water as ‘too risky’. Adam Cave, Managing Director and Founder of Water by Murray,


part of Murray McIntosh, commented on the report findings: “We urge employers to consider their short-term needs and find methods to resource projects that will allow AMP8 to be delivered, but in the longer term, a more collaborative and united approach to tackling engineering shortages is needed. This isn’t only a problem for the water industry, but it is perhaps felt most acutely in this market, and shortages here could have a critical impact on key national resources.” For more information visit www.murraymcintosh.com


CHEMICALS COMPANY INVESTS £14M IN NEW FACILITY


industries, recently unveiled a new facility in Blackburn, Lancashire. The state-of-the-art premises – a £14m self-funded investment – is said to be the most advanced powder defoamer chemical plant in the world. The facility is set to boost not only the


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lackburn Chemicals, a specialty chemicals company producing foam control solutions for a wide range of


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he water industry is facing a perfect storm of intensifying talent shortages, engineer departures, and a looming retirement cliff as AMP8 commences. That’s according to a new report from


local economy in Blackburn through job creation and development, but will also benefit the wider UK manufacturing sector, with the new expansion expected to create a six-fold increase in production capabilities. Blackburn Chemicals currently employs 90 people, with sales teams


Jack Lamb, Sales Manager at Blackburn Chemicals, Bohdan Ratycz, International Trade Adviser at the Department for Business and Trade, and John Covill, Managing Director of Blackburn Chemicals


spread around Europe and Asia. The expansion means the business will be able to further support local employment while upskilling existing staff. At full capacity, output of the new solar-powered facility – its 545 solar


panels will generate ≈400,000 kWh per year – is expected to increase from 2,000 tonnes to 7,000 tonnes per year. Additionally, thanks to a new fully automated system utilising the work of on-site chemists, the business will be able to get products from the lab to market in shorter timescales. The family-run business is a major supplier to several key industries,


including paper manufacturing – it supplies two of the largest paper mills in Europe; pulp processing – it is the third largest UK chemical exporter to Brazil for the pulp market; food production; surface coatings; construction chemicals and more. Over 80% of the company’s business is overseas. John Covill, Managing Director of Blackburn Chemicals, said: “I am


incredibly proud to be a part of this level of investment and innovation. The expansion is not just about production capacity, it is about future- proofing our operations, supporting the local as well as national economy, and maintaining our position as a global leader in high-performance foam control solutions.” www.bbchem.co.uk


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MAY 2025 | PROCESS & CONTROL 5


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