INEOS, the multinational chemicals firm, is poised to frack near York.

They are looking for ethane for their chemical plant in Grangemouth.

They have also just opened an “ethane bridge” to fracking wells in the US and will ship continuously.

They do not need to frack, however, as there is a green, sustainable alternative under their noses.

Last year, Brazil produced eight billion gallons of ethanol for the transportation sector by fermenting sugar.

Sugarcane is grown in 90 countries with a harvest of two billion tons last year, and is a glut on the market.

If Theresa May is serious about trading worldwide, here is a golden opportunity for Ineos to import sugar or the intended product ethanol.

To convert ethanol to the chemical Ineos ultimately wants, ethene, takes far less temperature by a factor of five and far less pressure than converting ethane.

It really is energy saving.

Ineos could become a world leader in ethanol production and research, overtaking Brazil.

It is merely a question of applying a little foreign aid, helping the Third World, and saving the planet, or rather the green fields of Yorkshire.

Lateral thinking please.

Chris Clayton, Hempland Drive, York