Croda opens global biotechnology R&D centre at Sci‑Tech Daresbury
- Croda has opened new biotechnology R&D laboratories at Sci‑Tech Daresbury that will serve as its global centre for biotechnology research.
- The facility was inaugurated by Parliamentary Under‑Secretary Blair McDougall MP and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram.
- Croda says the centre will accelerate development and commercialisation of next‑generation ingredients for consumer and life sciences brands and support future job creation across the region and its other UK sites.
- KeraBio™ K31, a biotechnology‑derived keratin ingredient developed at the Daresbury lab, is being commercialised with customers globally.
New global biotechnology hub
Croda has officially opened biotechnology research laboratories at Sci‑Tech Daresbury, establishing the site as its global centre for biotechnology research and one of the company’s strategic platforms for future growth. The laboratories will support development of next‑generation ingredients and technologies for consumer and life sciences customers.
Collaboration and regional impact
Located on a major UK science and innovation campus, the facility is positioned to strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and government to accelerate development and commercialisation of biotechnology innovations. Croda expects the new centre to support future job creation both at Sci‑Tech Daresbury and across its four other UK locations.
Leadership and rationale
The centre was formally opened by Parliamentary Under‑Secretary of State and Minister for Reindustrialisation Blair McDougall MP and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram. Chief Executive Steve Foots said Croda chose the UK “because of the strength of its science base, talent and innovation ecosystem,” and described biotechnology as increasingly important for delivering sustainable innovation and long‑term value.
Example project
Work at the Daresbury laboratory includes KeraBio™ K31, a biotechnology‑derived keratin ingredient developed there to help repair damaged hair, which Croda says is now being commercialised with customers globally.
Source: Croda
