Liberty Steel has launched an accelerated sales process for its pipe manufacturing division in Hartlepool, aiming for a completion date of February 20.

The Brenda Road site, which employs roughly 170 people, produces carbon steel pipes for global energy and carbon capture projects.

With other Sanjeev Gupta’s UK assets already in liquidation last year, the company now seeks a strategic investor for the Hartlepool business and its assets.

Directors of Liberty Pipes Hartlepool are working with advisors Begbies Traynor to secure a long-term future.

The steelworkers’ union, Community, said the facility is strategically important with strong market prospects. A successful transaction intends to protect skilled jobs and maximize asset value while expanding an active international sales pipeline.