Life sciences manufacturing facility begins production following £50m investment

Science-based manufacturer, Syngenta Huddersfield, has prepared the first batch of its plant protecting product, PLINAZOLIN® technology, for worldwide distribution following a major investment.

Syngenta Huddersfield spent £50m on re-engineering one of its large-scale production lines to support delivery of this new product.

The business is to become the largest producer of advanced stages of PLINAZOLIN® technology, an active ingredient that protects plant health against pests.

The pest control product is designed to offer a new standard of performance, particularly against pests for which existing products no longer can provide effective control.

It is intended to replace older, less effective chemistries, requiring fewer applications aimed at improving crop productivity and quality.

The multi-million pound capital investment at Huddersfield has been used to convert an existing production plant on the site into an advanced facility to manufacture the life sciences product, to be sold in more than 40 countries around the world.

The firm is targeting markets in India and South America initially, where persistent pests seriously threatens specific crop yields such as soyabean, corn, rice, coffee and cotton.

Harpreet Uppal, MP for Huddersfield, unveiled a commemorative plaque at Syngenta Huddersfield to mark the start of production. Amongst invited guests to witness this milestone were Mayor of Kirklees, Nosheen Dad, Council leader Carole Pattison and Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member Finance and Regeneration.

Minister for Investment, Baroness Gustafsson, said: “This is great news for Huddersfield and yet another vote of confidence in the UK economy.

“We have the most open, stable and connected economy in the world – and our Plan for Change will encourage international companies to invest here, delivering long-term growth that supports good, skilled jobs across the country.”

Syngenta UK president, Mike Hollands, said: “The application of life sciences research, much of it also done in the UK, to develop new, highly advanced agrochemicals, such as PLINAZOLIN® technology, remains critical to support farmers worldwide, to meet global food demands sustainably and viably.

“PLINAZOLIN® technology, will play an important role in helping farmers tackle serious challenges from insect pests.

“The opening also marks the start of what we hope is a period of ongoing transition for our Huddersfield site, as we look to update and refit existing facilities to manufacture a new generation of life sciences products.”

Site manager, Dave Steele, added: “Alongside our existing product portfolio, manufacturing key active ingredients like PLINAZOLIN® technology here in Huddersfield means we can secure jobs for the future.

“This investment is an important step as we look to transition and further develop the Huddersfield campus, bringing in new products to replace older ones over time.

“The growth profile of PLINAZOLIN® technology is central to our plans for creating a sustainable manufacturing campus as we also look to invite other companies to establish operations here, bringing significant investment and jobs to the town.”

He explained the campus could see a range of advanced manufacturing, life sciences and sustainability-focused businesses benefiting from Syngenta’s existing infrastructure.

The release of land to third parties is projected to have the potential to support up to 300 new jobs on top of the 1,000 jobs Syngenta’s operations already underpin.