BRUSSELS, April 20 (Reuters) - Belgian chemicals and plastics group Tessenderlo (TESB.BR) said on Tuesday 20 April it might cut 51 jobs as it reorganises a division in Calais, France, to cope with the economic downturn.

Photo: www.tessenderlo.com

The Calaire Chimie unit, which makes products for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and agricultural chemicals industries, has suffered a 52 percent drop in turnover, it said.

"A major reorganisation of its activity has been initiated in order for the site to recover in the short term, with the intention of developing new markets and maintaining its position on the pharmaceutical market," Tessenderlo said in a statement.

"To make this reorientation viable, fifty-one jobs could be at stake," it added.

The group announced 40 job cuts in December as it stopped making glycine due to tough competition from China, but in February it reported signs of an improvement ahead for some of its businesses. (Reporting by Pete Harrison, editing by Will Waterman)