The speciality chemicals company has launched expanded biotechnology research and development laboratories at Sci-Tech Daresbury, naming the site its global centre for biotechnology research.
The facility was officially opened on Thursday, September 17 by Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Reindustrialisation.
Also attending were Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, alongside other senior representatives from business and academia.
Angela Ball, leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “Croda is a global leader in speciality chemical ingredient manufacturing for products which make a difference to people’s everyday lives.
“We’re proud and delighted that the company has chosen Sci-Tech Daresbury to base and expand this facility because of the strength of the science base, innovation and skilled workforce we have here, when they could have chosen from of a number of locations around the world.”
Guests at the launch toured Croda’s Synthetic Biology & Fermentation, Robotics & Data Science, and Applications Lab, located in Techspace One on the Daresbury campus.
The laboratories will focus on developing next-generation ingredients and technologies for leading consumer and life sciences brands, aiming to translate scientific breakthroughs into commercial products.
The facility is also expected to boost job creation at Sci-Tech Daresbury and Croda’s other UK sites.
Steve Foots, chief executive of Croda, said: “Biotechnology will play an increasingly important role in how we deliver sustainable innovation for our customers and create long-term value.
“We had opportunities to locate this facility in several countries around the world but chose the UK because of the strength of its science base, talent, and innovation ecosystem.
“At a time when much of the discussion around the European chemicals sector focuses on industrial challenges, Croda’s investment highlights the continued opportunities for innovative companies to compete globally through intellectual property, advanced science and R&D-led growth.”
Croda operates four other locations in the UK and is known for developing speciality chemical ingredients used in everyday products across multiple industries.
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