CHEMICAL giant Ineos Chlor has said it is unlikely that jobs will have to be axed to pay for rocketing fuel bills.
However, with a bitter winter predicted, the Runcorn-based company has admitted that times could be hard.
Soaring gas bills have fuelled fears that manufacturing will be cut back with resulting job losses.
But Ineos - which employs thousands at its Runcorn site - says it will do everything possible to avoid redundancies.
Andy Waring - the plant's energy purchasing manager - said: 'The colder it gets, the more serious the problems could be.
'If demand increases this winter and prices go up and the UK runs short, someone is going to have to reduce demand and switch off.
'We have processes in place to help manage that situation and most don't involve shutting production down so I wouldn't say there's likely to be job losses but you can never say never.'
Ineos has lead protests from the UK's leading manufacturers about high fuel prices.
Earlier this year, Ineos bosses gave evidence to a Government select committee inquiry in to the high price of fuel.
The firm warned the Government that businesses will be forced to the wall by soaring energy costs.
Ineos uses more energy than the whole of Liverpool in the manufacture of chemicals like chlorine and sulphur.
However, rising gas prices are making it increasingly difficult for British firms to compete with their continental rivals.
If predictions of a harsh winter are proved right, increased domestic use of gas could put the energy companies under huge strain.
Mr Waring said: 'The longer we have this energy crisis the harder it will get so we are encouraging the Government to understand how serious the situation is and also praying for a warm winter.'
