Shaping the next generation: Industrial Placements at Croda

At Croda, our Purpose of Smart science to improve lives™ drives everything we do. As a FTSE100 organisation with over 5,800 employees across 94 locations in 36 countries, we’re dedicated to developing innovative and sustainable ingredients that make a real difference in the Life Sciences and Consumer Care sectors. 

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and our People, including the next generation of scientists and innovators, are key to bringing that Purpose to life. Each year, we offer industrial placement opportunities that give university students the chance to experience what it’s like to work in a global science-led organisation that’s shaping the future of sustainable innovation. 

Learning from the best 

At Croda, we’re passionate about creating an environment where people can grow, innovate, and thrive. Our teams value diversity, sustainability, and creativity, and our placement students are an important part of that culture. 

Zachary Benson, a recent Industrial Placement student who worked on sustainability initiatives at Croda and won an award from the University of Leeds for his project on product carbon footprints: “I feel incredibly proud and privileged to have spent a year with Croda and experience such an incredible array of opportunities, knowledge, and experience. My projects were highly focused on driving sustainability through the synthesis of bio-based products and calculating the carbon footprint of new syntheses. I can’t thank the incredible people at Croda enough for allowing me to be part of the team.” 

Sarah Davidson, Technology Development Lead at Croda, shared her thoughts on Zachary’s achievement: “During his placement year, Zachary showed excellent commitment to sustainability while also working on his lab-based research project. He demonstrated that any chemist could integrate carbon footprint calculations into the new product development process, a great example of how sustainability can be embedded into everyday science.” 

Daniel Day, Research Team Leader, added: “At Croda, we’re passionate about training the next generation of scientists through our industrial placement scheme. Zachary’s award highlights the impact of developing future leaders in sustainable research and development, both for Croda and the wider scientific community. Congratulations, Zachary!” 

Developing in STEM 

Each year, we welcome new Industrial Placement students across Croda to join teams in a variety of STEM disciplines, from chemistry, biology, and chemical engineering to data science, sustainability, and manufacturing. 

Hollie Dodds, a recent Industrial Placement student tells us: “My industrial placement at Croda was truly career-defining. When I joined the analytical team at Rawcliffe Bridge, I had little knowledge of the chemical industry, but by the end of the year I’d gained a wealth of technical experience and professional confidence. Croda really invested in my growth, from developing my presentation and collaboration skills to giving me real exposure to the fast-paced world of consumer care. 

The passion and support from everyone around me made such an impact that I knew I wanted to return after graduating. That placement experience not only shaped my career aspirations but also helped me secure a place on Croda’s Graduate Development Programme. I’d highly recommend the industrial placement to anyone looking for genuine personal and professional development.” 

Over a 12-month placement, students have the opportunity to work on real-world projects that contribute to Croda’s Purpose of Smart science to improve lives™. Whether it’s developing new sustainable ingredients, supporting manufacturing innovation, or exploring the latest analytical technologies, every placement offers hands-on experience and the chance to make a meaningful impact. 

Our placements are designed to combine academic rigour with hands-on experience, helping students meet their degree requirements while building valuable technical, problem-solving, and professional skills. 

Bethany Freeman, an Industrial Placement student in this years rotation tells us about her experience so far: “As the current placement student in the analytical department, I’ve only recently started my journey at Croda, but from day one I could tell the company culture here was something special. My team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, which has made the transition from university to the working world feel seamless. 

This role has already given me the opportunity to build on the knowledge I gained during my degree and see how it’s applied in a real industrial environment. I’ve even had the chance to travel between sites for training in new analytical techniques, and I’m now leading my own project that contributes to Croda’s wider goals. It’s been an exciting and rewarding start to my placement year.” 

Your future starts here 

Joining Croda as an Industrial Placement student means joining a global organisation that believes in your potential. You’ll gain hands-on experience, grow your professional skills, and contribute to meaningful work that improves lives around the world. 

Be part of a team where your ideas matter, your development is supported, and your science helps build a more sustainable future. 

Explore our upcoming Industrial Placement opportunities on our Careers Page and start your journey with us today.