Croda inaugurates new global centre for biotechnology at Sci-Tech Daresbury

The facility, formally opened by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Reindustrialisation Blair McDougall MP, with Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, alongside senior representatives from business and academia, will serve as Croda's global centre for biotechnology research, one of the company’s most important platforms for future growth.

The investment strengthens Croda's position at the forefront of biotechnology innovation and reflects the Company's commitment to growing its advanced research capabilities in the UK. The new laboratories will support the development of next-generation ingredients and technologies for some of the world's leading consumer and life sciences brands, helping bring scientific breakthroughs from the laboratory to commercial reality.

Located at Sci-Tech Daresbury, one of the UK's leading science and innovation campuses, the new laboratories strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and government to accelerate the development and commercialisation of biotechnology innovation.

The new facility is expected to support future job creation, both in Sci-Tech Daresbury and at Croda’s four other locations in the UK, strengthen collaboration with academic and industry partners, and accelerate the commercialisation of biotechnology innovations for global markets.

One example of the work being developed at Sci-Tech Daresbury is KeraBio™ K31 a biotechnology-derived keratin ingredient designed to help repair damaged hair. 

Developed by Croda scientists at the facility, and now being commercialised with customers globally, KeraBio K31 demonstrates how UK science can be translated into innovative consumer products that address growing demand for premium hair care solutions. 

Steve Foots, Chief Executive, who welcomed guests to the centre said: "Biotechnology will play an increasingly important role in how we deliver sustainable innovation for our customers and create long-term value. We had opportunities to locate this facility in several countries around the world but chose the UK because of the strength of its science base, talent and innovation ecosystem. 

“At a time when much of the discussion around the European chemicals sector focuses on industrial challenges, Croda's investment highlights the continued opportunities for innovative companies to compete globally through intellectual property, advanced science and R&D-led growth.”

Minister for Reindustrialisation, Blair McDougall MP, who opened the facility said: “Croda’s expansion here in Daresbury is a perfect example of what our Modern Industrial Strategy is designed to support: a global centre of biotech excellence, backing skilled local jobs and keeping Britain at the cutting edge of innovation.
 
“This new facility will help turn world-class British science into exports for global markets, helping attract investment and create high-value jobs across the North West while strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in biotechnology.”

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “Our region is home to a world-class cluster of science-led companies that are driving growth, creating high-value jobs and developing solutions that can make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Croda’s decision to establish its global biotechnology research centre in the Liverpool City Region is a powerful vote of confidence in our science base, our skilled workforce and our wider innovation ecosystem. 

“We have set an ambitious target to invest 5% of our GVA in research and development by 2030, and attracting globally ambitious businesses like Croda will be vital to achieving it. With world-class universities and research expertise on our doorstep, we have a unique opportunity to turn cutting-edge science into commercial success and good, well-paid jobs.

“We want to build on that success and cement the Liverpool City Region as an international destination for world class science and innovation.”


ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact:
Mariana Wood, Croda Press Office
07780 987136
media.enquiries@croda.com

About Croda 
Croda International Plc is a specialty chemicals company that creates high-performance ingredients and solutions principally for Consumer Care and Life Sciences markets. 

Established in 1925 and headquartered in the UK, Croda is a FTSE 100 company with over 5,900 employees across 91 locations in 36 countries. Revenues in 2025 were £1.7 billion.  

As the name behind some of the world’s most successful brands, Croda combines knowledge, passion and entrepreneurial spirit to develop and supply innovative ingredients relied on by industries and consumers worldwide. Its smart science is found in everyday products ranging from sun protection to life-saving pharmaceuticals and crop-enhancing formulations. 

With a shared Purpose to use Smart science to improve lives™, and with the majority of its organic raw materials already derived from bio-based sources, Croda is committed to becoming Climate, Nature and People Positive by 2030. 

To find out more about KeraBio™ K31 visit: KeraBio™ K31 | Croda Beauty 
Croda unveils breakthrough data for KeraBio™ K31: Biotech-driven hair repair with exceptional potency | Croda

Croda’s UK Science and Innovation Footprint

Cowick Hall, East Yorkshire (Global Headquarters)
Croda's global headquarters and centre for corporate leadership, strategy, finance and support functions. Cowick Hall is located close to Rawcliffe Bridge, where the company was founded in 1925.

Rawcliffe Bridge, East Yorkshire (Manufacturing and Innovation)
Croda's original manufacturing site and one of its largest UK operations. The site produces speciality ingredients and is home to global expertise supporting the Beauty Care, Life Sciences and Crop Protection sectors.

Ditton, Cheshire (Manufacturing)
A major UK manufacturing site producing speciality ingredients for consumer care, pharmaceutical and industrial applications, serving customers in the UK and international markets.

Leek, Staffordshire (Manufacturing)
A specialist manufacturing facility supporting Croda's portfolio of high-performance ingredients and technologies used across multiple end markets.

Daresbury, Cheshire (Biotechnology R&D)
Croda's biotechnology-focused R&D hub, located at Sci-Tech Daresbury. The site specialises in biotechnology, biocatalysis and synthetic biology, helping develop the next generation of sustainable, high-value ingredients for areas such as pharmaceuticals, beauty and agriculture. The new laboratories strengthen Croda's advanced research capabilities and support high-skilled scientific jobs in the North West.

For more information, visit: https://www.croda.com/en-gb/about-us/where-we-operate

About Sci-Tech Daresbury 
Sci-Tech Daresbury is the home of pioneering science, technology and business. It creates the conditions for ambitious businesses to accelerate growth and deliver real-world impact by solving the challenges of tomorrow. 

Located in the Liverpool City Region, the campus combines world-class science infrastructure – including particle accelerators and supercomputers - and a collaborative community, tailored business support and state-of -the-art, scalable office and laboratory space.  

At Sci-Tech Daresbury we’re creating a ‘Home for Life’, providing a perfect business location for technology companies to scale their business. Our long-term ambition is to create 10,000 jobs on campus by delivering 1 million square feet of space for scientific, technological, business and research facilities.  Our next development, Violet Phase Two, which provides larger CL-1and CL2-enabled laboratory space with high quality office space, is part of the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone. Companies scaling into this space will be eligible for occupier benefits such as business rates relief, national Insurance contribution holidays and enhanced capital allowances.  

Further information is available at https://sci-techdaresbury.com/   
Sci-Tech Daresbury is a private-public joint-venture partnership between developers Langtree, the Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and Halton Borough Council.