http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/Chemicals

CHEMICALS IN ENGLAND’S NORTHWEST

THE UK’S LARGEST CHEMICALS INDUSTRY

Manchester

Liverpool

Cheshire

Lancashire

Cumbria

KEY STRENGTHS OF ENGLAND’S NORTHWEST

UK’s largest concentration of chemicals businesses

60% of world’s top 50 chemicals companies

Most profitable chemicals sector in the UK

Unrivalled R&D facilities

Large, skilled workforce

Strength through diversity The chemicals industry in England’s Northwest is globally significant in both size and scale The Northwest of England is home to the largest and most profitable concentration of chemical manufacturers in the UK. The region’s 650 chemicals-related businesses generate total annual sales of £10 billion and employ more than 50,000 people.

Its strength in this field is encapsulated by the list of major chemicals companies who operate here, including Shell, AstraZeneca, Brunner Mond, INEOS, Unilever, PZ Cussons, FUJI and Innovia. In total, around 60 per cent of the world’s top 50 chemical companies have a presence in the Northwest.

These global names are backed up by a whole host of specialist and smaller innovative firms at the cutting edge of chemicals technology. Indeed, more than half of the chemicals companies in the Northwest have fewer than 20 employees, ensuring a dynamic mix of chemicals-related businesses of all sizes and across a huge range of specialisms.

The sector covers a wide range of specialist manufacturing, particularly in materials chemistry, agrochemicals, coatings and advanced flexible materials, basic and downstream chemicals, performance and speciality chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, soap and detergents, polymers and plastics.

Logistically, few regions in the UK are as well served as the Northwest. This is paramount in an industry where easy movement of large volumes of goods is essential to do business. The region is easily accessed both nationally and internationally by road, rail, sea or air. Its comprehensive road infrastructure is unrivalled, placing it at the heart of the UK’s motorway network. It is home to three international airports and one of Europe’s leading container ports.

The region is equally well serviced by the rail network, with the Manchester to London line Europe’s best connected intercity route.

As well as its broad base of chemicals businesses, the Northwest boasts a wide range of pioneering research and development expertise and state-of-the-art technical facilities, with leading universities, including Manchester, Liverpool, Lancaster and Bolton, and a host of leading edge specialist research institutes, such as the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry and the Centre of Excellence in Biocatalysis, Biotransformations and Biocatalytic Manufacture (CoEBio3).

WORKINGTON

BARROW

AROUND 60 PER CENT OF THE WORLD’S TOP 50 CHEMICAL COMPANIES HAVE A PRESENCE IN THE NORTHWEST.

BOLTON

WARRINGTON

City Town Airport Port University R&D Centre Map source: Ordnance Survey Crown Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved GD021102

Broad range of expertise The Northwest’s chemicals industry is critical to key sectors, including electronics, renewables, automotive and aerospace, as well as pharmaceuticals and biotech One of the Northwest’s greatest strengths is the breadth of chemicals expertise and capabilities at all levels. Its skilled knowledge base, wealth of suppliers, strong international links and attractive but relatively inexpensive geographic location means big businesses are drawn to the region across the whole spectrum of chemicals-related activity.

The region has a rich history of scientific innovation and discovery that continues today. Building on a strong academic knowledge base, hi-tech fine and speciality chemical companies are spearheading the development of industry in the region. Their products support growth in established and emerging sectors, including biotechnology, nanotechnology and ICT. Materials chemistry, in particular, is a core strength of the region’s chemicals offering, from aerospace chemicals and materials through to household and personal care products.

The close links between the pharmaceuticals and chemicals sectors are much in evidence in the Northwest.

It is a premier location for European pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies, including giants such as GSK, Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and AstraZeneca, which has its largest global R&D facility in Cheshire.

Several of these companies originally grew out of the chemicals sector and most still use chemicals processes to produce their products. This has reduced in recent years with the move towards biological processing and outsourcing, but there remains a dynamic base of chemicals companies in the Northwest supplying services, products or materials for pharmaceuticals applications at the R&D and clinical trial level, and at a larger scale for final product manufacture and distribution. These include chemical synthesis, analysis or custom manufacturing services, fine chemicals, intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients, pharmaceutical formulations, or delivery systems.

One of the fastest growing chemicals sectors is electronics, where innovations in printed electronics are expected to create a market worth around US$50 billion over the next eight years, rising to US$300 billion by 2027.

Printed electronics is about printing electrical circuits and miniscule electronic devices onto a range of flexible materials, such as paper, plastic and textiles. Manchester-based Nano ePrint, a spin-out from pioneering research at the University of Manchester, is one of a number of Northwest players at the leading edge of this innovative technology. Nano ePrint makes thin electronic devices in a single layer of thin-film semiconductor, which can be used in anything from interactive maps to smart packaging, passports to banknotes. Other Northwest companies at the global forefront of printed electronics technology include SAFC Hitech, Victrex, Fujifilm Imaging Colorants, Innovia and Nanoco, another spin-out from the University of Manchester and the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of quantum dots.

The renewable energy sector has also undergone huge growth over the past five years, with more to come – the UK is projected to produce 32% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Many renewable technologies are still far from fully developed and there are potentially massive opportunities for either new materials and chemicals innovations, or for new applications of existing chemicals technologies. In the Northwest, companies like M&I Materials, Victrex, DSM Composite Resins, Leighs Paints, Nanoco, AGC, INEOS and MEL are already active in renewable markets.

In the automotive sector, where materials used include a wide range of polymers, composites and resins, Northwest companies supply chemicals such as corrosion inhibitors, engine coolants, heat transfer fluids, colorants, hydraulic fluids, fuel additives, composites and alloys. Looking to the future, the region is at the forefront of environmentallyaware innovations such as improved catalysts; temperature resistant materials for exhaust treatment; more fuel efficient materials; low carbon fuel sources and biodegradable or recyclable components.

The Northwest is also the largest aerospace region in the UK, so it’s not surprising that chemicals companies are exploiting new opportunities to supply products and services to the sector, including suppliers of engineering polymers, fibres, metals and composites.

UK leader in materials chemistry

Forefront of environmentallyaware innovations

Printed electronics: The global rise

$50 billion Size of the market by 2018

$300 billion Estimated size of the market by 2027

INEOS: EUROPEAN LEADER

INEOS ChlorVinyls employs over 1,000 staff at its manufacturing complex at Runcorn, Liverpool City Region.

The company is a global leader in chlorine derivatives and the largest producer of polyvinyl (PVC) in Europe. Its activities in manufacturing and marketing are vertically integrated through most of the PVC chain and

include ethylene dichloride (EDC), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), along with suspension PVC (S-PVC).

INEOS’ chlor-alkali cellroom is Europe’s second largest single unit, and the company is the largest producer of chlorinated paraffin in the world. In the last few years, INEOS has invested heavily, upgrading its site.

As part of a £390 million modernisation programme, it has commissioned a major new membrane chlorine plant, installed new control systems and constructed a purpose-built central control room.

Sister company INEOS Enterprises is located at the same site.

It is the UK’s largest manufacturer of vacuum salt, producing 850,000 tonnes a year. Its salts are used in the food industry, as well as processes ranging from water treatment to shampoo manufacture and animal nutrition.

KEY FACTS OF THE NORTHWEST CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

INEOS Chlor purifies most of the UK’s drinking water

GrowHow is the leading UK supplier of plant nutrients

Innospec puts fragrance into products worldwide

INEOS HAS INVESTED HEAVILY IN UPGRADING ITS SITE. A NEW £390 MILLION MODERNISATION PROGRAMME INVOLVES A MAJOR NEW MEMBRANE CHLORINE PLANT AND PURPOSE-BUILT CONROL ROOM.

Unrivalled R&D The Northwest is home to some of the world’s best chemicals research institutions and innovation The Northwest has historically been a hotbed for innovation and in an increasingly global market, the need for constantly developing new ideas and products is paramount.

Key R&D strengths include: materials chemistry, printed electronics, bioprocessing, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and analytical and measurement science.

The region’s chemicals industry has particular expertise in materials chemistry, and this is reflected in its R&D strengths.

Notably, the new Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC) has created a dynamic new virtual R&D centre designed to be a one-stop-shop for materials chemistry expertise, linking the practical needs of industry with pan-regional research knowledge (see panel).

“Chemicals is the Northwest’s biggest export sector and the Northwest is the country’s biggest regional centre for chemicals. There is huge potential for further expansion and the KCMC is another step towards realising that potential,” says Jenny Clucas, Chief Executive of industry organisation Chemicals Northwest.

Another major asset is the Centre for Materials Discovery at the University of Liverpool. It uses state-of-theart robotics and automation technologies to discover new functional materials in applications such as energy, health, home and personal care. The Centre can be accessed through the KCMC.

“We help businesses realise the potential of using unique new materials and products formulated by ‘high throughput techniques’. The sectors we work with are incredibly diverse, from energy, to food, to pharmaceuticals and biotech. They really showcase the breadth of applications this new technology has among chemicals-related companies,” explains Dr Stuart Brown, Knowledge Transfer Manager of the KCMC. The Centre houses several pieces of cutting-edge equipment, using automated robotic platforms. These ‘high throughput technologies’ (HTT) allow a much greater number of chemical reactions to be performed in parallel than can be achieved by manual laboratory methods.

“Take, a hand cream,” explains Dr Brown. “Typically, it might have 20 to 30 or so ingredients, which need to be handweighed by an individual, blended, and mixed to the right consistency. That’s quite labour intensive; one full-time employee could produce maybe 15 formulations a week. Using HTT might produce anything between 50 and 100 different product formulations in the same time, leaving the chemist to focus on the chemistry rather than the manual labour.”

The Northwest Composites Centre provides a way for industry to access research in the production and processing of novel composites. Formed by the universities of Liverpool, Lancaster, Manchester and Bolton, it draws on the expertise

INNOVIA: INNOVATION IN ACTION

Innovia Films is the world’s leading supplier of speciality Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) and cellulose films for packaging, labelling, graphic arts and security products. It employs

KCMC is a new virtual R&D centre and one-stop-shop

Close links between industry and research centres

a total of 1,400 people all over the world, with 900 employees based at its state-of-the-art facility in Wigton, Cumbria, which includes 75 R&D staff focusing on delivering and supporting innovation. Innovia Films has recently spent £8.5 million on the further improvements to the site with a new cellulose film manufacturing machine that will become its highest output line. One pioneering development the company has been responsible for is a fully degradable and home compostable film based on renewable raw materials, known as NatureFlex.

of 60 leading academics across these institutions. At the University of Salford, the Centre for Functional Materials offers cutting edge research expertise in a wide range of materials systems, including magnetic and electronic materials, biomaterials, hydrogen storage systems and photovoltaics.

Expertise in analytical and measurement science is spread across all the region’s universities. In particular, the two SuperSTEM microscopes at the Daresbury Laboratory in Liverpool City Region encapsulate the region’s strength.

These world-class electron microscopes can be used for the evaluation and characterisation of material and chemical structures at an atomic level. These can be accessed through the KCMC. Innovia Films is one company working with Daresbury.

“There is a strong regional network of academic research centres in the Northwest, as well as innovative businesses, which is reinforced by a high-level commitment to a science based economy,” says Andrew Bayliff, R&D Director at Innovia Films.

Bioprocessing is another rapidly emerging field due to the growing need to use sustainably sourced materials and processing methods for chemical transformations. The Centre of Excellence in Biocatalysis, Biotransformations

and Biocatalytic Manufacture (CoEBio3), based at Manchester University, is already one of Europe’s leading centres in ‘white biotechnology’, using microorganisms and enzymes to manufacture chemicals, in close co-operation with industry partners. The National Biomanufacturing Centre in Speke, Liverpool is a second key facility.

Another area of regional strength in chemical sciences is in nanotechnologies, with the University of Liverpool particularly active. Its Ultra Mixing and Processing Facility specialises in R&D in nano-structured multi-phase liquids such as mayonnaise and vinaigrettes, working closely with industrial and academic partners.

Like Liverpool, the University of Manchester also has nanotechnology expertise across several departments. Its Centre for Nano-porous Materials researches non-porous products such as carbon nanotubes, ceramic nanoparticles and nanocomposites for industrial applications – including catalysis, separation and hydrogen storage.

‘‘THE KNOWLEDGE CENTRE FOR MATERIALS CHEMISTRY PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UK TO HARNESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF OUR WORLD-CLASS SCIENCE BASE IN THE NORTHWEST.” Dr John Conti-Ramsden, Director, Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry

KNOWLEDGE CENTRE FOR MATERIALS CHEMISTRY

Materials chemistry is fundamental to a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals and electronics to adhesives and bio-medical devices. In the Northwest, it is estimated that at least half the companies in these sectors – including giants like Unilever, Solvay, Fujifilm and AstraZeneca – rely heavily on materials chemistry for their product and process innovations.

The Knowledge Centre for

Materials Chemistry (KCMC) makes it easier for businesses to capitalise on these innovations by tapping into the R&D expertise at Daresbury Laboratory and Liverpool, Manchester and Bolton universities.

Instead of relying on businesses to identify individual R&D facilities, the KCMC brings together expertise from the four organisations into one cuttingedge, industry-focused virtual research centre. It makes a broad spectrum of materials chemistry capabilities and state-of-the-art facilities accessible to industry through its single point of access and effective knowledge transfer.

“By working with the KCMC, companies can benefit from world-class capabilities that offer reduced costs and shared risk for medium term and more speculative research,” explains Dr John Conti-Ramsden, inaugural Director of the Centre.

Chemicals Northwest: Backing innovation Chemicals Northwest is the industry-led support organisation for the Northwest chemicals sector.

It is a publicly-funded membership organisation, which promotes the activities and interests of chemical-using industries. It works hard to advance sustainable development practices in the industry. In terms of innovation, it focuses on industry and academic research. Its role also includes, working with Cogent and the National Skills Academy for Process Industries, equipping the workforce of today, and tomorrow, with the right skills. Generally, its objective is to improve and promote the benefits and opportunities of the region’s chemicals industry.

To find out more, visit chemicalsnorthwest.org.uk

From the Northwest to the world The region is one of Europe’s largest exporters of chemicals, serving 110 countries worldwide The Northwest is the UK’s largest chemical exporting region by far, accounting for 27 per cent of total chemical-related exports. Chemicals-related exports account for 51 per cent of the region’s manufactured exports and have a value of £10 billion, including medicinal and pharmaceutical-related exports. Global companies in this field include Brunner Mond, Pentagon, Contract Chemicals, RS Clare, Innospec, ColorMatrix and Innovia Films.

Products manufactured by Innovia are exported to over 110 countries worldwide. Around 60 per cent of product is shipped to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 25 per cent to the Americas and the final 15 per cent to the Asia Pacific region.

Nearly half of the films sold are destined for a wide variety of packaging applications with the remainder sold into the labelling market, the tobacco industry for overwrapping packs and to central banks to make polymer bank notes.

Another big exporter is ColorMatrix. As specialists in liquid colorant and additive technologies for thermoplastic applications, it now exports around 90 per cent of its technologies to more than 50 different countries, with much of this growth coming from Eastern European markets.

ColorMatrix liquid dispersions are used to improve the processing, performance and aesthetics of plastic products primarily for extrusion, injection moulding and PET packaging applications. In beverage packaging, an area which has seen the greatest growth, its PET additives also play an important role in protecting and extending shelf life of the products they contain.

“The Northwest’s strong entrepreneurial spirit and network of dynamic businesses, along with its rich pool of expertise in chemical engineering, has been an important factor in our success,” says Morag Girdwood, Global Brand Development Manager of the ColorMatrix Group.

The Northwest’s success as an exporter is supported by its excellent connectivity. It is one of the best connected regions in the UK, easily accessed both nationally and internationally by road, rail, sea or air.

Logistically, this means transporting large volumes of goods is easy. It also makes doing business across the globe easy. The region has three international airports, flying to over 270 destinations worldwide: Manchester (the UK’s largest outside London), Liverpool John Lennon, and Blackpool.

The Northwest is at the centre of the Northwest’s motorway network, being at the crossroads of the key NorthSouth (M6) and East-West (M62/M56) motorway networks, providing direct access to all British major cities within four hours. The region is equally well serviced by the rail network.

Over 39 trains per day travel the route between Manchester and central London, with journeys taking just over two hours, making this Europe’s best connected intercity route.

The line links the Northwest to London, Scotland and mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel.

Gateway to America The region’s large coastline ensures a strong network of ports, including Liverpool, one of Europe’s leading container ports and a main trading route with North America. The port handles 32 million tonnes of cargo annually, 700,000 containers, while Liverpool Freeport is the UK’s largest Free Zone with over three million square foot of logistics and warehousing facilities. The port is linked to the Port of Manchester via the Manchester Ship Canal, with 15,000 combined annual ship movements between the two ports.

The international connectivity and competitiveness of the Northwest is exemplified by its sustained annual growth in exports. Exports grew by eight per cent during the period 2001 to 2008, outstripping global chemical industry sales growth of five per cent over the same period. The region is also successfully exporting to the new chemical tiger economies in China, India and South Korea, with annual export growth rates of 20 per cent to these countries between 2001 and 2008.

UNILEVER: GLOBAL CENTRE

Unilever’s long and illustrious history can be traced back to the Northwest when, in 1885, William Lever built the UK’s first soap factory in Port Sunlight, near Liverpool. The company now has a presence in 150 countries around the world and employs over 170,000 people.

At its global research facility at Port Sunlight, around 800 scientists and engineers create many of the UK’s most popular home and personal care products, including Dove, Sunsilk, Lynx, Cif, Persil and Domestos.

Every year the work done at Port Sunlight results in more than 100 patents being filed and 140 research papers, a result of approximately 2.5 per cent of annual turnover that the company devotes to R&D. In 2008, Unilever announced it was consolidating its R&D activities to focus on larger sites in key markets. It is a reflection of the region’s strengths that Port Sunlight was chosen as one of the six global expertise bases. The change will enable the company to further increase the speed and impact of the innovations developed at its Northwest base.

Locating in the Northwest The Northwest offers an unrivalled variety of versatile locations for companies of all sizes looking to invest, from Cheshire in the south to Cumbria in the north. These include high quality laboratory and office accommodation in serviced sites, science and business parks, incubator space, established chemical sites with opportunities for third party plants, and land appropriate for new factories. These are supported by local authorities who understand and are supportive of the chemicals industry.

One of the standout locations is the 800acre Hillhouse Business Park in Thornton, Lancashire. The brownfield site is one of the largest of its kind in the region and is home to over 40 businesses, including AGC Chemicals, Victrex and Vinnolit.

INEOS’ chemical manufacturing complex in Runcorn has a number of development plots available and its site development plans actively encourage inward investment.

There are other key sites across the region, such as Runcorn’s Manor Park and The Heath Business and Technical Park, Manchester Science Park, Liverpool Science Park and Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus.

The Northwest is also known for the high calibre of support services, such as logistics, engineering and recruitment, to support investing companies, as well as its strong chemicals supply chain and high quality skills base. Importantly, the region is widely recognised as an attractive and relatively inexpensive location to live and work, offering employees and their families a high quality of life.

CUSSONS: HOME-GROWN GLOBAL SUCCESS PZ Cussons, the international consumer products giant, has its roots in the Northwest. The company, which manufactures and distributes household brands, including Imperial Leather, Morning Fresh and Carex, employs more than 430 people in the region, has a turnover of £800 million and a market capitalisation of more than £1 billion. It is one of the 200 biggest UK plcs, with 10,000 global employees.

The consistent growth of the group has combined organic development, through product innovation, alongside acquisition of leading brands, including the Charles Worthington and Original Source names. The company, with its head office in Manchester, has invested £26

BASF CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS – ONE OF THE UK’S LARGEST SUPPLIERS OF CHEMICALS TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY –HAS ITS UK HEADQUARTERS IN STOCKPORT.

million in its new innovation centre in Salford, which includes a fully automated 77,000 sq ft liquids factory, which can produce 130,000 bottles a year.

The aim of the new state-of-theart unit is to respond to trends quickly, getting products from lab to market within nine months. The group also has a significant presence in Asia and Africa.

The company’s largest subsidiary PZ Cussons Nigeria, has operated out of the country for more than 100 years. Its depth of market knowledge allows it to create and develop products and brands suitable to consumer demands in that country. Both the European and African divisions of the business have seen incredible growth.

Northwest exports grew by 8% between 2001– 2008

27% of UK’s total chemicals exports

The bigger picture With a larger economy than Hong Kong, more than a million graduates and a leader in R&D, the Northwest is an ideal location for investors The Northwest sits at the centre of the UK, stretching from Cumbria in the north to Cheshire in the south, with two of the most dynamic and cultural cities in Manchester and Liverpool.

The economy is both large in size – bigger than 15 EU countries, standing at £120 billion, with 252,000 businesses – and scale; being home to many of the world’s leading R&D investors, including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce as well as Unilever and AstraZeneca. Annual private sector expenditure is over £2.2 billion; placing the region ahead of many European countries.

The region has more than seven million people – almost twice the population of Ireland. In terms of skills, there is a strong tradition of advanced engineering expertise, serving specialist areas including the aerospace, automotive and chemicals industries. However, it is the strength and depth in a variety of sectors which ensures a strong and growing European region.

The Northwest is Europe’s largest biomanufacturing region and a leader in biotech innovation. It is also a centre for financial and professional services, with a heritage of wealth management, banking, legal and accountancy experience in the Northwest’s key locations including Manchester, Liverpool and Chester. It is also the second biggest media hub in Europe. This is in addition to its position as a world leader in nuclear energy. The region’s experience and expertise will prove to be significant as the UK enters a new era of nuclear energy. It also provides essential skills for renewable energy and environmental technology.

The beautiful landscape of Wastwater, the Lake District.

A top 10 European university

More universities, more graduates A dynamic, educated, skilled workforce exists, which boasts more than a million graduates. The region is home to one of Europe’s largest concentrations of universities – 12 in total – including the University of Manchester, top 10 in Europe and top 30 in the world. There are a further 60 education colleges. Collectively these institutions educate over 250,000 students each year, producing 15,000 Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) graduates annually.

Beautiful landscape As well as being a thriving region for business, the Northwest is an enviable location from a quality of life perspective. It is home to England’s largest national park, the Lake District, and three areas of outstanding natural beauty: the Solway Coast in Cumbria, Arnside and Silverdale in Lancashire and the Forest of Bowland, also in Lancashire.

There are two UNESCO World heritage sites, at Liverpool waterfront and Hadrian’s Wall, Cumbria, one heritage coast and 32 nature reserves. In fact, almost a third of the region is designated as national park or an area of outstanding beauty.

The two cities of Manchester and Liverpool are young, vibrant cities, constantly changing, at the cutting edge of the music and cultural scene. The Manchester International Festival has already firmly established the city on the map, as the world’s first international festival of original new work.

The city’s social scene caters for all tastes. Liverpool, which was European Capital of Culture in 2008, has more galleries and museums than any UK city outside of London.

Significant investment in the last few years has added to its tourism appeal, which includes Albert Dock (a Unesco World Heritage Site), home to Tate Liverpool and numerous bars and restaurants. The Liverpool Biennial is one of the most successful arts events in the UK.

7 million people

Bigger economy than 15 EU countries

Supporting investors The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development of the Northwest and works with companies in a variety of industries and countries in attracting foreign direct investment. With over 3,000 foreign-owned businesses in the region, we have one of the UK’s strongest track records in assisting large companies and SMEs with their location and expansion decisions.

Our Investment Services team offers a range of free and confidential services designed to assist businesses in making these choices. This includes information on: legal and tax issues; recruitment support; property type, availability and cost; financial assistance; and networking opportunities with potential supply chains and other relevant businesses.

We also offer a range of financial support to help businesses with their investment and expansion projects in the Northwest.

Grants for Business Investment support businesses undertaking major investment projects which increase the region’s productivity skills and employment.

Grants for Research and Development help businesses fund the R&D required to get new products to market.

Support for innovation in carbon reduction technology is also available.

Grants for Improving Your Resource Efficiency provide assistance to businesses undertaking investment projects which reduce CO2 emissions.

Venture Capital and Loan Funding offers a combination of loan, equity and mezzanine finance to support business growth in the region.

Our Investment Services team can provide further information regarding eligibility.

252,000 BUSINESSES 1MILLION GRADUATES £120 BILLION ECONOMY For further information about the business and investment opportunities in the region, visit englandsnorthwest.com or call our Investment Services team on +44 (0)1925 400 495.

Chemicals at a glance

650 CHEMICALS-RELATED BUSINESSES £10 BILLION ANNUAL SALES 50,000 EMPLOYEES 12 UNIVERSITIES 15,000 STEM GRADUATES PER YEAR 60% OF THE WORLD’S TOP 50 CHEMICAL COMPANIES

Tel: +44 (0)1925 400 495 www.englandsnorthwest.com

Printed on 100% de-inked recycled waste with FSC recycled certification. Pulp is bleached using a Totally Chlorine Free process.