Chemicals firm chooses consultant to help deliver £27m plant expansion

Speciality chemical manufacturer Croda International has appointed engineering company OSL Consulting to help deliver a £27m expansion of it Hull plant which will double its capacity and ensure production needs through to 2030.

Croda says the major investment, announced last year, is in line with the group’s strategy of investing in faster growth markets, and enable it to satisfy growing demand for its renowned polymer additives used by global polymer manufacturers to address issues such as friction, scratch resistance and stability of plastic materials used in multiple industries including automotive and packaging.

The investment will nearly double existing capacity and enable Croda to meet growing demand for slip additives through to 2030.

OSL Consulting will provide engineering procurement and construction management for the project. OSL’s integrated team of around 40 engineering, project management and construction specialists will be involved in the project.

Alastair Robertson, principal director at OSL, said: “This is a very prestigious piece of work and we’re very proud to have been awarded it.

“We have a highly innovative team supporting Croda on this project who are experts in a range of engineering disciplines, and will cover all process, mechanical, electrical, civil, structural and control instrumentation needs, as well as overseeing procurement, cost analysis and timescale management.”

He added: “This project demonstrates Croda’s commitment to the local area. As a growing local company that attracts engineers to the region, we were positive that OSL should be involved, as it enables us to continue on that path.”

The project is now entering its initial stage and will continue for two years.