An historic project that will see the reintroduction of giant pandas into the wild has won financial support from INEOS Grangemouth and PetroIneos Fuels Ltd.

The company has agreed to support the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s giant panda research for three years.

As part of the conservation research project, two giant pandas are now housed at Edinburgh Zoo. They are the only animals of their kind in the UK and one of only three pairs in Europe.

China confirmed that the two pandas could be brought to the UK on the same day that INEOS signed a letter of intent which subsequently led to the formation of a refining joint venture with PetroChina.

Gordon Grant, CEO INEOS Grangemouth Services, said it was rather fitting that the sponsorship arrangement should also be agreed on that day.

Andrew Gardner, commercial manager for PetroIneos Fuels, said the partnership with PetroChina would also bring tremendous benefits to INEOS’ refineries in Scotland and Southern France.