It is reported that around 170 people are employed at the Brenda Road site, which supplies carbon steel pipes to numerous countries worldwide. The facility recently produced more than 50,000 tonnes of pipes as part of a major carbon capture project in Teesside.

The decision to launch the sale process is notable, coming after other UK operations owned by Liberty Steel Group chairman Sanjeev Gupta entered liquidation last year. Ongoing financial difficulties across the company’s UK operations have increased uncertainty over the future of the Hartlepool site.

Industry sources indicate that the accelerated sale process is being pursued to ensure continuity of production and protect employment. Management is reported to have already begun discussions with potential investors interested in acquiring the facility.

The sale of Liberty Steel’s Hartlepool pipe unit is seen as one of the key steps in the recent restructuring of the UK steel sector.