The refinery was commissioned in 1964 to process petroleum-based feedstocks into specialist hydrocarbon solvents.
The company was floated on the stock market in December 1948 as Carless, Capel and Leonard Limited.
Such solvents were used in chemicals, rubber, paint, printing ink, adhesive and pharmaceuticals.
Other refinery products included chemical naphtha (for petrochemicals), kerosine fuel, and hydrocarbon resins.
[4] In addition to the railway connection there is a jetty in the River Stour capable of handling vessels of up to 14,000 tonnes displacement and a draught of 7.5m.
[5] The company’s registered office in 1971 was Petrol House Hepscott Road Hackney Wick London E9 5HD.