Opus Restructuring & Insolvency has confirmed the successful completed sale of Vynova Runcorn Limited’s key assets to INOVYN ChlorVinyls Limited, safeguarding around 75 jobs at the plant, securing the long-term future of its joint venture subsidiary, and preserving strategically important chemical manufacturing operations in Cheshire.
The transaction, which was originally agreed in August 2026 subject to regulatory approvals, includes Vynova’s ethylene dichloride (EDC) plant, related assets and its 50% shareholding in Runcorn MCP Limited.
The sale to INEOS Inovyn, the existing site landlord and joint venture partner, brings the EDC and chlor-alkali operations at Runcorn under common ownership, supporting the long-term viability of the wider manufacturing site.
The Runcorn facility is of national strategic importance. It houses the UK’s only EDC asset, while the wider site supplies approximately 98% of the chlorine used in UK drinking-water treatment. Its operations also support industries including food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and construction.
The transaction was led by Joint Administrators Gareth Wilcox, Trev Binyon and Allister Manson at Opus, who worked alongside legal advisers Penningtons Manches Cooper to secure a positive outcome for employees and other stakeholders.
In addition to preserving approximately 75 jobs directly, the sale has enabled the rescue of two Vynova pension scheme sections from the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) assessment process, with INEOS Inovyn becoming the new sponsoring employer.
The transaction involved a complex combination of insolvency, corporate, regulatory and pensions considerations, requiring close coordination between the administrators, purchaser, advisers and other stakeholders.
Gareth Wilcox, Partner at Opus and Joint Administrator of Vynova Runcorn Limited, said, “This is an extremely positive outcome for Vynova’s employees, the wider Runcorn site and the industries that depend on its operations. From the outset, our priority was to find a solution that would preserve value, protect skilled employment and secure the future of these strategically important assets. Completing the sale to an established operator with an existing presence at Runcorn achieves those objectives and provides a stable foundation for the site’s future.”
He continued, “The significance of this transaction goes well beyond the jobs safeguarded. The Runcorn operations play an important role in the UK’s industrial infrastructure, and the successful rescue of the pension scheme sections represents a further positive outcome for those affected. This was a particularly complex transaction, requiring extensive collaboration across multiple stakeholders. We are delighted to have reached a successful conclusion that demonstrates the value that can be preserved through a carefully managed administration process.”
The transaction was supported by a dedicated Opus team, including Adam Seymour (Senior Manager), Sam Knight (Manager), Alison Groves (Senior Administrator) and Ellena Fairbrother (Administrator). The team worked extensively over a prolonged period, navigating the complexities of the administration and sale process to help secure a successful outcome for employees and other stakeholders.
The sale completed on 30 October 2026, following the satisfaction of the necessary conditions and regulatory approvals.
About Opus
Opus delivers multi-disciplinary services at scale, while preserving a boutique, client‑led ethos. Across the Group, our divisions (restructuring & insolvency, strategic advisory, M&A, forensic accounting and grants) work with clients to deliver on their objectives, enhance value and attain the best possible outcomes. Our service delivery model combines fresh thinking with specialist skills to facilitate the next steps of the client’s journey; and whilst each of our divisions run independently, all work together to tailor services to each requirement. The Group contains the largest independently owned restructuring and insolvency firm in the UK.
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