AN ICI spokesman has played down suggestions that the company's poor financial results this year will scare potential buyers away from the Runcorn site.
The Runcorn operation lost money this year. The company put this down to exchange-rate difficulties.
John Edgar, at ICI head office, said: "Demand for the products held up well but margins were squeezed by a strong sterling."
Mr Edgar said the losses - the chemical division lost £80 million nationally in 1997 - should not affect the sale prospects of Runcorn.
He said: "I cannot imagine that it will have any great impact on the sale.
"Prospects are good what with the improved electricity costs through the new power plant. Chlorine prices are also rising throughout Europe."
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