Global science company Syngenta is investing around £50 million into its Huddersfield production site, securing jobs for the future.
The company is re-engineering one of its large-scale production lines to make Plinazolin, an insecticide which protects crops.
An existing production plant will be converted into an advanced facility to produce the insecticide, to be sold in more than 40 countries around the world.
The product has already entered key markets in South America where pests can seriously threaten crop yields.
The Huddersfield site was specifically chosen by Syngenta for its ability to make important stages of the active ingredient in Plinazolin.
The technology delivers a new standard of performance, particularly against pests for which existing products no longer provide effective control.
The broad-spectrum insecticide is Syngenta’s fastest-growing product to date, due to its versatility and effectiveness tackling a range of pests across a broad variety of crops.
Site manager Pete Waddington said: “Alongside our existing product portfolio, manufacturing key active ingredients here in Huddersfield means we can secure jobs for the future and help growers tackle crop pests using the next generation of more sustainable technologies.
“It also confirms our strong commitment to investing in innovation and employment in the UK.
“The manufacture of this new technology for farmers is a result of our ongoing commitment to investing in the long-term development of innovative and effective solutions that increase crop productivity in an environmentally sustainable and responsible way.”
Recent economic data from KADA Research, the UK and international economic development consultancy, revealed that jobs growth at the site was bucking the regional trend with a 14% uplift over the last five years, versus a decline in manufacturing regionally.
The firm in Huddersfield has provided STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) apprenticeships for more than a decade and this new investment presents future career opportunities for aspiring chemists, engineers and manufacturing technicians of the future.
Syngenta operations in Huddersfield contribute £140m into the Kirklees economy and the company has invested heavily in plant expansion projects in recent years to meet customer demand.
The Huddersfield site remains a key strategic asset for the company and the site is well placed for further investment as the company aims to bring new advanced and sustainable chemical solutions to global agricultural markets.
Mr Waddington added: “We have an exciting future as part of the Syngenta family, making important products which help secure our food supply.
“The company is always assessing potential projects for investment in the UK and we are working hard to deliver on Plinazolin and secure continued investment in Huddersfield operations.
“We have the skills and the knowledge in Huddersfield to meet a fast-paced supply chain. With Syngenta’s continued investment in assets and people, we also have the ability to quickly respond to customer needs.”
